# NTSB SEA88LA147: Bell 206B, N300TW, Enterprise, OR, August 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1988, 06:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Enterprise, OR
- Coordinates: 45.720336, -117.22087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7203&lon=-117.2209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT ABT 500 FT AGL, THE PLT STATED HE HEARD A 'PING' SOUND FROM THE ENG AND PWR DECREASED TO FLT IDLE. AN AUTOROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED INTO A CLEARED UPSLOPING AREA BUT THE PLT HAD TO PULL 'UP' COLLECTIVE IN ORDER TO CLEAR A FENCE. A HARD LANDING RESULTED, CAUSING THE MAIN ROTOR TO CONTACT THE TAILBOOM. IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE FAILED TO REVEAL THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE SPOOL-DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300TW-1991-04-24), registration cancelled 1991-04-24, S/N 3090 (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: 3090
- Airframe hours: 1627
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 137
- Operator: Rambling Rotors, Inc.
- Registered owner: Rambling Rotors, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 26, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: LA GRANDE, OR
- Destination: ENTERPRISE, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 15,962 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 15,780 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19880806033609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880806033609A), Aug 6, 1988: Bell 206B, Enterprise, OR, Substantial damage. Ping sound and engine went to idle. Used rotor energy to clear a fence. Hard landing chopped boom. Problem unknown.

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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