# NTSB NYC88LA201: Bell 206B, N543CC, Plymouth, MA, July 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1988, 07:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, MA
- Location: 41.9583° N, 70.6638° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plymouth, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9583&lon=-70.6638&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA201

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE FUEL CONTROL WAS NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN DUE TO AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA.

## 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, takeoff
  - fuel system,fuel control - output low (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - landing gear,skid assembly - collapsed
  - object - ditch

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER THE HELICOPTER TOOKOFF, THE LOW ROTOR RPM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE LOW ROTOR RPM HORN SOUNDED. THE PILOT RESPONDED BY LOWERING THE COLLECTIVE AND ENTERING INTO AUTOROTATION. AT TOUCHDOWN THE LEFT SKID COLLAPSED AND THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE GROUND. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL UNIT REVEALED THAT IT WAS NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N543CC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N543CC), registered now, S/N 3593, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3593
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clean Harbors, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1988
- Departed: CARVER, MA
- Destination: PWM, PORTLAND, ME
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Plymouth Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,174 total, 265 in this make and model, 2,067 as pilot in command, 208 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880713026519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880713026519A), Jul 13, 1988: Bell 206B, Plymouth, MA, Substantial damage. Low rotor RPM on takeoff. Autorotated to ditch. Skid folded,helicopter rolled over. Fuel flow max stop too low.

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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