# NTSB NYC88FA133: Bell 206B, N7094J, Long Island Cty, NY, May 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1988, 10:23 local (14:23 UTC)
- Place: Long Island Cty, NY
- Coordinates: 40.73978, -73.930992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7398&lon=-73.9310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA133

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - turboshaft engine,free turbine governor - underspeed (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,free turbine governor - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - collective - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - water
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE BELL 206B WAS ON A SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT AROUND THE ISLAND OF MANHATTAN WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A LOW ROTOR RPM SITUATION. THE PILOT SAID HE COULD NOT RECOVER ROTOR RPM AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE EAST RIVER. THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND HUNG ONTO THE FLOATS WHICH WERE INFLATED AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. ONE PASSENGER DID NOT ESCAPE, WAS FOUND IN THE AIRCRAFT 1 1/2 HOURS LATER AND DIED OF DROWNING. A FATIGUE CRACK WAS FOUND ON THE POWER TURBINE GOVERNOR NEAR THE PY PORT WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS SAID A WARNING HORN IDENTIFIED AS THE LOW ROTOR WARNING HORN, STAYED ON THROUGHOUT THE DESCENT. THE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING HORN IS DESIGNED TO SOUND WHEN A LOW ROTOR RPM CONDITION EXISTS. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY COLLECTIVE CONTROL PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND THE PILOT DID NOT MENTION A JAMMED COLLECTIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7094J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7094J-1992-02-26), registration cancelled 1992-02-26, S/N 727 (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: 727
- Airframe hours: 7395
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Island Helicopters
- Registered owner: Island Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 13, 1988, 54 hours before
- Departed: TSS, MANHATTAN, NY
- Airport: TSS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,785 total, 698 in this make and model, 1,644 as pilot in command, 191 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGA, 5 nm away

## 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 19880501070799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880501070799A), May 1, 1988: Bell 206B, New York, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. RPM decay and warning horn came on pilot failed increase RPM by nosing up on descent. Py boss power turbine failed.

## Other investigations on N7094J (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC74DHJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74DHJ04), Jul 17, 1973: Bell 206B (N7094J), Amityville, NY, substantial damage

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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