# NTSB NYC89LA126: Bell 206A, N273E, Bedminster, NJ, April 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1989, 14:29 local (18:29 UTC)
- Place: Bedminster, NJ
- Location: 40.6743° N, 74.6605° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bedminster, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6743&lon=-74.6605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA126

## Probable cause

OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DUE TO AN UNDETERMINED POWER LOSS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE IN A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN AT ABOUT 300-400 FT AGL THE ENGINE OUT AUDIO ALARM & WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE PILOT LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND NOSE TO BUILD UP ROTOR RPM & AIRSPEED. THE PILOT FLARED AT 50 FT, BUT SAID THE ROTOR RPM WAS TOO LOW AFTER AVOIDING TREES AND THE AIRCRAFT FELL THROUGH THE INITIAL COLLECTIVE PITCH PULL, STRIKING THE GROUND AND ROLLING OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE BEFORE COMING TO REST. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND DURING AN ENGINE RUN, OR WITH THE AIRFRAME OR FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N273E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N273E-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N 167, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206A
- Registry model: [Bell 206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206a) (registry code 1181508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 167
- Airframe hours: 2969
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C-20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Apollo Helicopter Co.
- Registered owner: Apollo Helicopter Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1989, 16 hours before
- Departed: BEDMINSTER, NJ
- Destination: UNION, NJ
- Airport: Kean Helistop

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 888 total, 836 in this make and model, 838 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890427010249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890427010249A), Apr 27, 1989: Bell 206B, Bedminster, NJ, Substantial damage. Reported engine out on climbout. Lost rotor RPM attempting to extend glide over trees fell 50 feet to ground.

## Other investigations on N273E (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 NYC72FHA21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FHA21), Oct 21, 1971: Bell 206A (N273E), Somerville, NJ, 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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