Bell 206L-3 N348AL

Summary

On 18 October 2001 at about 14:40 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N348AL was involved in an accident near East Cameron 78, United States. 5 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 October 2001 at 14:40

Classification

Accident

Location

East Cameron 78, United States

Coordinates

29.2961, -92.8800

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Registration

N348AL

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Vermilion 289 → Creole

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW02LA019

3 people were seriously injured.

The hard landing due to the pilot's failure to maintain proper main rotor rpm. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to deploy the emergency floats.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was in cruise flight at 500 feet msl, when the pilot heard a "thud," and the helicopter yawed left. The engine lost power, and the pilot initiated an autorotation to the water. According to the pilot, he turned the helicopter to the right into the wind and "before the completion of the turn, the hydraulics quit." The helicopter landed "hard" on the water and rolled over. The pilot reported to the operator that he had deployed the emergency floats; however, an examination of the helicopter revealed that the floats had not been deployed. An examination of the fuel system revealed that the fire-shield to fuel nozzle fuel supply line contained no fuel. The contents of the fuel filter was tested and it was determined that the it contained 10 percent fuel and 90 percent sea water. All three fuel cells were empty; however, all three cells were compromised. According to the helicopter manufacturer's representative, "the damage observed on the main rotor hub and blades is consistent with what would be expected as a result of impact of a slow turning rotor. Examination of the airframe and engine did not disclose any structural or mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.