# NTSB NYC89LA141: Bell 206-L, N501RS, Wading River, NY, May 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1989, 17:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Wading River, NY
- Coordinates: 40.939758, -72.810363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9398&lon=-72.8104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA141

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CONTROL THE RATE OF DESCENT WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A POWER LOSS DUE TO A COMPRESSOR FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - compressor assembly,blade - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A POWERLINE PATROL, THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND MADE A FORCED LANDING NEAR AN ELECTRIC PLANT IN WADING RIVER. THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER COMPLETING A 180 DEGREE TURN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE ENGINE OUT LIGHT ILLUMINATED; THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN POWER WAS ADDED. HE SAID HE ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION WHILE TURNING TOWARD AN OPEN AREA. AT TOUCHDOWN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWN AND CHOPPED THE REAR PORTION OF THE TAIL BOOM. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN WAS PERFORMED AND IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS COMPRESSOR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N501RS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206-L
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45050
- Airframe hours: 8641
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: American Helicopter Corp.
- Registered owner: Bocre Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 25, 1989, 16 hours before
- Departed: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,550 total, 450 in this make and model, 4,295 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 82 °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 19890531021919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890531021919A), May 31, 1989: Bell 206L, Wading River, NY, Substantial damage. Loud bang and power loss on a powerline survey. Tried to extend glide over powerlines. Hard landing. Cut tail boom.

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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