Bell 206 N272M

Summary

On 1 November 2009 at about 16:40 local time, a Bell 206 registered N272M, operated by Rotorcraft Leasing Company LLC, was involved in an accident near High Island A-442A, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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.

Date

1 November 2009 at 16:40

Classification

Accident

Location

High Island A-442A, United States

Nearest airport

High Island A442A (A442)

Coordinates

28.4000, -93.9417

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N272M

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Rotorcraft Leasing Company LLC

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hi-A442 → Hi-A515

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10LA036

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel's failure to correctly torque the Pc line following removal and reinstallation of the turbine module.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter had landed on an off-shore oil platform and was refueled. It then took off with one passenger. Shortly after lifting off, the pilot "heard a loud pop as the nose of the aircraft passed over the edge of the helideck. The noise was simultaneously accompanied by illumination of the engine out warning light and a needle split indication was observed on the engine and rotor tachometer gauge. As the aircraft yawed and lost climb performance, the pilot lowered the collective pitch full down and activated the floats. Upon landing on the water, the aircraft rolled left until inverted. The helicopter was later recovered and the engine disassembled and examined. The only anomaly noted was a loose Pc line, which would cause a loss of fuel flow and subsequent loss of engine power down to or below idle. It was determined that the torque required to realign the B-nut would be between hand-tight and 27 inch-pounds. The required torque is 80 to 120 inch-pounds. Torque values on the other air line fittings between the power turbine governor and the fuel control were found to range from 55 to 85 inch-pounds. A review of the engine maintenance records revealed that 36.7 hours prior to the accident, the turbine module was completely disassembled and overhauled. This would have required the removal and re-installation of the Pc line.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.