Bell 212 N5017H

Summary

On 27 June 2001 at about 02:58 local time, a Bell 212 registered N5017H, operated by State of Alaska, Division of Forestry, was involved in an accident near Clear, Alaska, United States. 3 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

27 June 2001 at 02:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Clear, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

64.3336, -148.8503

Aircraft

Bell 212

Registration

N5017H

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

State of Alaska, Division of Forestry

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Clear → Clear

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC01TA076

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site following a partial loss of power during approach to landing in a multiengine helicopter. Factors associated with the accident are an automatic fuel control unit that had a restricted fuel flow due to an improperly complied with service bulletin, and the pilot's improper single engine emergency procedures.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying a twin engine helicopter that was lightly loaded. He was flying in close proximity to a helipad, waiting for another helicopter to leave the pad, when he reported he had a loss of engine power in the number two engine. Although the helicopter's operations manual specified that the helicopter was easily capable of sustaining flight, and even of initiating a rate of climb somewhere between 550 and 700 feet per minute, the pilot elected to make an immediate landing into a confined area. During the descent, the helicopter collided with trees, and sustained substantial damage. An examination of the engines disclosed that an improper bleed air flow jet was left installed in the engine's automatic fuel control unit (AFCU), contrary to a service bulletin from the manufacturer. The presence of the air flow jet resulted in a substandard fuel flow pressure, and the potential for a loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.