Bell 206 N1815

Summary

On 26 May 2011 at about 19:23 local time, a Bell 206 registered N1815, operated by Air MD LLC, was involved in an accident near Walton, Kansas, United States. 2 people were on board and 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

26 May 2011 at 19:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Walton, Kansas, United States

Nearest airport

Newton City-County Airport (EWK)

Coordinates

38.1539, -97.2853

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N1815

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Air MD LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Newton → Newton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN11LA356

2 people had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and flight mechanic were on a maintenance flight and had entered an autorotation to check the flat-pitch rotor speed, which was satisfactory. During recovery, about 500 feet above ground level, the pilot applied the throttle but the engine did not respond. The autorotational descent continued and the pilot executed a power-off running landing to a wheat field. As the helicopter touched down, a main rotor blade struck the tail boom, separating the tail boom at its attach point. Both main rotor blades impacted terrain and the helicopter came to rest on its right side. The pilot and flight mechanic were uncertain as to whether the engine had stopped running during the autorotation recovery or whether it was only operating at idle rpm. No preimpact anomalies were discovered that would have prevented normal operation. The engine was removed and run in a test cell, and the engine met specification power. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.