# NTSB NYC89FA013: Bell 206L-1, N555GC, Wallingford, CT, October 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1988, 01:20 local (05:20 UTC)
- Place: Wallingford, CT
- Location: 41.4570° N, 72.8232° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wallingford, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4570&lon=-72.8232&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36253
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36253/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - disabled (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST POWER AND CRASHED IN A TRACTOR TRAILER PARKING LOT, DESTROYING THE HELICOPTER AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN IMPROPER FUEL FLOW SWITCH, WHICH HAD NO CHECK VALVE PROTECTION INSTALLED ON SYSTEM NO 1. THE FAA CERTIFICATION BRANCH (ASW-170) STATED THAT IF THE WRONG FUEL FLOW SWITCH IS USED AND THE BOOST PUMP CIRCUIT BREAKERS ARE PULLED, A FLAMEOUT IS LIKELY. THE PILOT SAID HE PULLED THE MASTER CAUTION BREAKER AND MAY HAVE PULLED THE BOOST PUMP BREAKERS 'PREPARING FOR LANDING'. THE FUEL BOOST PUMP CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE PULLED AND THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 27 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N555GC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555GC-1988-12-12), registration cancelled 1988-12-12, S/N 45317 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45317
- Airframe hours: 1414
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Wico Aviation, Inc., doing business as Same
- Registered owner: Pine Crest Construction Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 27, 1988, 54 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: MMK, Meriden Markham

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,052 total, 128 in this make and model, 4,415 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 34 °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 19881016048759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881016048759A), Oct 16, 1988: Bell 206L1, Meriden, CT, Destroyed. Engine lost power. Pilot pulled fuel boost breakers by mistake. Incorrect fuel flow switch.

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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