Plane Crash List

Bell 206B N111MT

10 July 2003 · Aniak, Alaska, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 10 July 2003 at about 02:00 local time, a Bell 206B registered N111MT, operated by American Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Aniak, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 02:00
Classification
Accident
Location
Aniak, Alaska, United States
Coordinates
61.5817, -159.5431
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Registration
N111MT
Category
Helicopter
Engines
1
Operator
American Helicopters
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Positioning
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Red Devil → Aniak
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
ANC03LA073

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

The compressor discharge pressure line (Pc line) B-nut coming loose at the fuel control unit, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees during an autorotation. A factor associated with the accident was the improper installation of the Pc line B-nut by company maintenance personnel.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was operating as a Title 14, CFR Part 91, positioning flight in visual meteorological conditions when it had a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The pilot said the first indication of a problem was the illumination of the auto-relight indicator, followed by the engine fail light. He initiated an autorotation towards a clearing, but was unable to reach it. The helicopter impacted trees about 30 feet above the ground. During the inspection of the engine, the compressor discharge pressure line (Pc line) was removed at the compressor scroll, and compressed air was applied. Technicians reported air escaping at the Pc line's junction with the fuel control unit. The B-nut on the Pc line was loose at the fuel control unit. There was evidence of fretting on the B-nut fitting, and there were smears of orange torque seal material on the B-nut. No torque seal material was present on the B-nut fitting. The engine logbook indicated the fuel control unit was replaced by company mechanics 178 hours prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Bell 206 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
16 Jan 2003 Bell 206L-1
N3194P
B.s. 53, Louisiana, United States - Fatal 1
21 Jan 2003 Bell 206L-1
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Oak Grove, Louisiana, United States - No injuries -
8 May 2003 Bell 206-L4
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Aurora, Colorado, United States - Minor injuries -
7 May 2003 Bell 206B
N81519
Hurst, Texas, United States Bell Helicopter Textron No injuries -
26 Nov 2003 Bell 206B
N90013
Cranston, Rhode Island, United States Horsham Valley Airways Minor injuries -
10 Oct 2003 Bell 206L-3
N81671
W. Cameron 509, United States - Fatal 3

All 1,732 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
19 Mar 2003 Rockwell 500-S
N903AK
Chickaloon, Alaska, United States State of Alaska Division of Forestry No injuries -
13 Jun 2003 Williamson GLASTAR
N62849
Anchorage, Alaska, United States - No injuries -
11 Jul 2003 Cessna 206
N505SD
English Bay, Alaska, United States - Fatal 1
23 Aug 2003 Cloud-Wag Aero SPORTSMEN
N35CL
Noatak, Alaska, United States - No injuries -
14 Jul 2003 Cessna 401
N6296Q
Gustavus, Alaska, United States - Fatal 4
12 Jul 2003 Piper PA-18
N83272
Talkeetna, Alaska, United States - No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States