Bell 206B N750LT

Summary

On 4 August 1990 at about 14:30 local time, a Bell 206B registered N750LT, operated by Joseph T. Duggan, III, was involved in an accident near Fitchburg, Massachusetts, 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

4 August 1990 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N750LT

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Joseph T. Duggan, III

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Worcester → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC90LA187

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT ADEQUATE FUEL WAS ON BOARD FOR THE FLIGHT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

PRIOR TO DEPARTING A GOLF COURSE IN BERLIN, MA, FOR FITCHBURG, MA, THE PILOT ADDED 2 TO 2-1/2 GALS OF UNLEADED AUTOMOBILE FUEL BECAUSE THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOW ON FUEL. WHILE STARTING A FLARE FOR LANDING AT FITCHBURG, THE ENGINE FLAMED OUT AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEVERED THE TAILBOOM. EXAMINATIION REVEALED THAT THERE WAS NO USABLE FUEL REMAINING ON BOARD. INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING WITH THE CAUTION BREAKER PULLED BECAUSE THE ENGINE CHIP LIGHTS WERE ON. THE PULLED BREAKER WOULD ALSO PREVENT THE LOW FUEL LIGHT FROM COMING ON.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.