# NTSB SEA89LA128: Bell 206B, N53W, Longview, WA, July 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1989, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Longview, WA
- Coordinates: 46.190254, -123.049713 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1903&lon=-123.0497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA128

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE FUEL SUPPLY INSTEAD OF THE EXTERNAL LOAD FUEL SUPPLY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO JETTISON THE EXTERNAL LOAD DURING THE AUTOROTATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THIS HELIOCPTER HAD JUST DEPLETED THE FUEL IN AN EXTERNAL BURNING UNIT AND WAS RETURNING TO A STAGING AREA WHEN THE HELICOPTER ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD TURNED OFF THE EXTERNAL UNIT JUST BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILURE. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE OPERATOR HAD LOCATED THE EXTERNAL UNIT CONTROL SWITCH ABOUT THREE INCHES ABOVE THE MAIN FUEL SHUTOFF SWITCH. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE EXTERNAL SWITCH WAS FOUND 'ON' AND THE MAIN FUEL SHUTOFF SWITCH WAS FOUND 'OFF'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53W-1989-11-22), registration cancelled 1989-11-22, S/N 945 (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: 945
- Airframe hours: 11731
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Weyerhaeuser Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 18, 1989, 45 hours before
- Departed: CHEHALIS, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,700 total, 600 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890707020969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890707020969A), Jul 7, 1989: Bell 206B, Longview, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on slash burn run. Auto rotated to hard landing. Pilot turned off engine fuel in place of burner fuel.

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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