Bell OH-58A N921MC

Summary

On 3 April 2001 at about 18:30 local time, a Bell OH-58A registered N921MC was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida, United States. One person was 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

3 April 2001 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lakeland, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Lakeland Linder Regional (LAL)

Coordinates

28.0402, -81.8994

Aircraft

Bell OH-58A

Registration

N921MC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lakeland → Lakeland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL01LA047

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THE HELICOPTER CHECKLIST

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

This was the first flight following a maintenance inspection. The pilot followed the manufacturers normal operating checklist and began a test flight. Approximately 2 minutes after takeoff, the engine lost power and quit. The fuel valve switch was found in the OFF position. The pilot did not check the position of the fuel valve prior to takeoff. The thru-flight checklist did not mention a fuel switch check during engine start. An expanded checklist includes the item.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.