Bell 206B N5754J

Summary

On 23 February 1989 at about 22:30 local time, a Bell 206B registered N5754J, operated by Millington Quarry, Inc., was involved in an accident near Harding Twnp, New Jersey, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 February 1989 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Harding Twnp, New Jersey, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N5754J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Millington Quarry, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Executive/Corporate

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

York → Morristown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

NYC89LA096

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOTS ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT THE FLIGHT WITH LESS THAN REQUIRED FUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE HELICOPTER WHILE PERFORMING AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE APPROACHING THE ARPT THE ENG BEGAN TO SURGE. THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY OFF APRT LANDING. DURING TOUCHDOWN ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE FROM AN AUTOROTATION, THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. POST CRASH EXAM OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 10 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE ENG WAS OPERATED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PLT STATED HE HAD DEPARTED APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER HAD 50 GALLONS OF FUEL AT DEPARTURE AND ACCORDING TO BELL HELICOPTER THE HELICOPTER BURNS 25 GALLONS PER HOUR. ACCORDING TO A BELL HELICOPTER REPRESENTATIVE, FUEL STARVATION COULD OCCUR WITH UP TO 10 GALLONS OF FUEL IF THE BOOST PUMPS ARE NOT USED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.