Bell 206B N193JB

Summary

On 15 August 1995 at about 21:00 local time, a Bell 206B registered N193JB was involved in an accident near Immokalee, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 August 1995 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Immokalee, Florida, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N193JB

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Opa Locka → Fort Myers

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA95LA205

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper use of the cyclic during a power-on autorotative landing (low flare), resulting in the ventral fin colliding with the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he was in cruise flight at 500 feet agl when he observed the engine oil temperature gage just short of the red line. A short time later he heard a noise described as a 'pop'. He entered a power-on autorotaton to make a precautionary landing straight ahead to an open area, and planned to terminate at a hover. The engine out warning light was not illuminated, the engine out audio did not activate, and the remaining engine instruments appeared to be normal. The pilot initiated a deceleration at 50 to 60 feet, applied initial collective pitch at about 15 feet while increasing power and leveling the helicopter. The landing area was unsuitable and the N2 was observed decreasing. He applied aft cyclic, and the ventral fin collided with the ground. The helicopter rocked forward and the main rotor blades collided with the tailboom. Examination of the helicopter revealed a red shop rag was caught in the oil cooler fan. A rigging check was conducted and no deficiencies were noted. The engine was removed and placed in an engine test cell. The engine started, run at ground idle, and accelerated to takeoff power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.