FARMINGTON, NM, USA
N5743H
BELL 206B
WHILE CLIMBING, THERE WAS A HEAVY SMELL OF FUEL. AT APRX 150 FT AGL ON A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, THE ENG QUIT. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED HARD, COLLAPSING THE SKIDS, & THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SHEARED OF THE TAIL BOOM. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, THE FUEL HOSE B-NUT (CONNECTED TO THE INLET SIDE OF THE FUEL FILTER) WAS FOUND LOOSE & LESS THAN FINGER TIGHT. MOVING THE FUEL HOSE CAUSED A STEADY STREAM OF FUEL TO FLOW OUTWARD FROM THE B-NUT. ALSO, THE B-NUT ON THE INLET SIDE OF THE FUEL FILTER WAS FOUND TO BE FINGER TIGHT & COULD BE BACKED OFF WITH FINGER FORCE. AN ANNUAL/300 HOUR INSPECTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON 1/10/84, 39 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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