# NTSB NYC85FNC04: Bell 206B, N23LV, W. Brattleboro, VT, May 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1985, 20:15 local (May 30, 1985, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: W. Brattleboro, VT
- Location: 42.8565° N, 72.6004° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Brattleboro, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8565&lon=-72.6004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FNC04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FNC04

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,fuel control - improper (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel control - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST PWR DURING NORMAL CRUISE. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO AUTOROTATE INTO A CLEARING IN THE TREES. POST ACCIDENT EXAM DISCOVERED AN AIR LEAK IN THE FUEL CONTROL. THE PRESSURE COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE (PCD) LINE 'B' NUT WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FUEL CONTROL. THIS CAUSED THE ENG TO REDUCE PWR TO FLT IDLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23LV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23LV-1997-12-05), registration cancelled 1997-12-05, S/N 2329 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2329
- Airframe hours: 1652
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 319 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stub, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 20, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: BRATTLEBORO, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,338 total, 533 in this make and model, 1,196 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850529020439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850529020439A), May 29, 1985: Bell 206B, Brattleboro, VT, Substantial damage. Loss of power in cruise. Autorotation to hillside clearing. B nut on pcd line disconnected at fuel controller.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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