Aviation Accident Summary ANC83LA155

BETTLES, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N87TA

BELL B-206B

Analysis

THE HELICOPTER MADE A AUTOROTATIVE FORCED LANDING AFTER A LOSS OF POWER DURING CRUISE. THE LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROAD AND THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. DURING THE POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE AUTO VALVE(PART NUMBER 206061634-3) OF THE FUEL PUMP. ALSO SOME BRASS AND LEAD WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL AND THE FUEL PUMP IS THE ONLY ELEMENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM TO USE BRASS BUSHINGS WHICH ARE ALSO IMPREGNATED WITH LEAD TO AID IN LUBRICATION. THE FUEL PUMPS COMPONENTS (BUSHINGS) WERE ROUND OUT OF TOLERANCE WHEN MEASURED. A REENACTMENT FLAMEOUT WAS ACCOMPLISHED WHEN THE FUEL PUMPS WERE'FAILED'BY PULLING THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND, AS IN THE ACTUAL ACCIDENT FLAMEOUT, THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS ON THE COCKPIT INSTRUMENTS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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