# NTSB NYC90LA187: Bell 206B, N750LT, Fitchburg, MA, August 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1990, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Fitchburg, MA
- Location: 42.6019° N, 71.8157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fitchburg, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6019&lon=-71.8157&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 6, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA187

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT ADEQUATE FUEL WAS ON BOARD FOR THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing - flare/touchdown
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTING A GOLF COURSE IN BERLIN, MA, FOR FITCHBURG, MA, THE PILOT ADDED 2 TO 2-1/2 GALS OF UNLEADED AUTOMOBILE FUEL BECAUSE THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOW ON FUEL. WHILE STARTING A FLARE FOR LANDING AT FITCHBURG, THE ENGINE FLAMED OUT AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. EXAMINATIION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO USABLE FUEL REMAINING ON BOARD. INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING WITH THE CAUTION BREAKER PULLED BECAUSE THE ENGINE CHIP LIGHTS WERE ON. THE PULLED BREAKER WOULD ALSO PREVENT THE LOW FUEL LIGHT FROM COMING ON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N750LT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N750LT-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 1767, built 1975 (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-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1767
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: ALLISON 206 410 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph T. Duggan, III
- Registered owner: Jet Copter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1990
- Departed: ORH, WORCESTER, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19900804030289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900804030289A), Aug 4, 1990: Bell 206B, Fitchburg, MA, Substantial damage. Engine flamed out. Stopped abruptly on slide on autorotation landing. Chopped tail boom. Cb pulled no low fuel lite

## Other investigations on N750LT (2)

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 SEA96LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA165), Jul 24, 1996: Bell 206B (N750LT), Warren, ID, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's improper remedial action after helicopter's right skid became snagged by a log that was used in the construction of a temporary landing site. Factors relating to the accident were: the…
- [NTSB MIA76FKT32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FKT32), Nov 26, 1975: Bell 206B (N750LT), Delray Beach, FL, destroyed

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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