Bell 206B N3896V

Summary

On 22 August 1996 at about 19:45 local time, a Bell 206B registered N3896V, operated by Idaho Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Glenns Ferry, Idaho, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 August 1996 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Glenns Ferry, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

43.0896, -115.3692

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N3896V

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Idaho Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA96LA198

1 person was seriously injured.

fuel contamination, due to improper servicing of the helicopter, which resulted in an intermittent loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's inadequate control of the helicopter, during autorotation with intermittent engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight, the helicopter experienced a yawing tendency, vibration, and loss of engine power. The pilot said that he closed the throttle and initiated an autorotation. The helicopter then nosed down, and the pilot pulled back on the cyclic. The auto relight cockpit warning light illuminated, and the pilot increased the throttle to full power. The helicopter began to yaw again, and the pilot closed the throttle; however, the helicopter nosed down. The pilot increased throttle control and raised the collective to regain level flight as the helicopter landed hard and rolled over. The engine and airframe were inspected and no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found. Fuel drained from the helicopter was found to be dark gray in color, and it contained very fine suspended particulate matter. Inspection of the fuel truck revealed that the filters and the fuel drained from the sump contained heavy contamination. Analysis of the fuel from the helicopter and from the fuel truck revealed the presence of water and fungi.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.