# NTSB NYC89LA096: Bell 206B, N5754J, Harding Twnp, NJ, February 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1989, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Harding Twnp, NJ
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA096

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT THE FLIGHT WITH LESS THAN REQUIRED FUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER WHILE PERFORMING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE APPROACHING THE ARPT THE ENG BEGAN TO SURGE. THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY OFF APRT LANDING. DURING TOUCHDOWN ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE FROM AN AUTOROTATION, THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. POST CRASH EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 10 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE ENG WAS OPERATED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PLT STATED HE HAD DEPARTED APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER HAD 50 GALLONS OF FUEL AT DEPARTURE AND ACCORDING TO BELL HELICOPTER THE HELICOPTER BURNS 25 GALLONS PER HOUR. ACCORDING TO A BELL HELICOPTER REPRESENTATIVE, FUEL STARVATION COULD OCCUR WITH UP TO 10 GALLONS OF FUEL IF THE BOOST PUMPS ARE NOT USED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5754J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5754J-1995-01-24), registration cancelled 1995-01-24, S/N 3119 (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: 3119
- Airframe hours: 4312
- Engines: ALLISON A250-C20B 425 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Millington  Quarry, Inc.
- Registered owner: Millington Quarry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1989, 12 hours before
- Departed: YORK, PA
- Destination: MMU, MORRISTOWN, NJ
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,625 total, 3,800 in this make and model, 5,745 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °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 19890223002479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890223002479A), Feb 23, 1989: Bell 206B, Harding Townshi, NJ, Substantial damage. Engine surge on approach. Autorotated downhill slope. Rotors hit tailboom. Low fuel unported.

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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