# NTSB NYC89LA188: Bell 206B, N16929, Nanuet, NY, August 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1989, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Nanuet, NY
- Coordinates: 41.120376, -74.050552 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1204&lon=-74.0506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA188

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE FUEL PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM WHITE PLAINS AND IT SHOWED ABOUT 15 TO 18 GALS REMAINING. ABOUT 5 MILES EAST OF RAMAPO, HE NOTICED A RAPID DECREASE IN THE FUEL AND ASCENDED TO ABOUT 2200 FEET. THE FUEL PUMP WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO FLICKER AND HE IMMEDIATELY DESCENDED FOR A EMERGENCY LANDING. THE HELIOCPTER STARTED TO YAW. THE PILOT THEN MADE A HOVER AUTOROTATION, BUT THE HELICOPTER WAS DAMAGED DURING THE LANDING. EXCEPT FOR THE LACK OF FUEL, NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE HELICOPTER WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16929](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16929), registered now, S/N 2314, built 1978 (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 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2314
- Airframe hours: 4033
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Eagle Helicopter
- Registered owner: Robert Buss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1989, 33 hours before
- Departed: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,300 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,050 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19890810028749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890810028749A), Aug 10, 1989: Bell 206B, Nanuet, NY, Substantial damage. Took off with low fuel and ran out en route. Landed on hiway median. Tail boom damaged on landing due low rotor RPM

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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