Bell 206-L4 N154MW

Summary

On 2 March 2011 at about 23:56 local time, a Bell 206-L4 registered N154MW, operated by Omniflight Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Birmingham, Alabama, 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

2 March 2011 at 23:56

Classification

Accident

Location

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Carraway Medical Ctr Heliport (AL49)

Coordinates

33.5336, -86.7389

Aircraft

Bell 206-L4

Registration

N154MW

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Omniflight Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Birmingham → Birmingham

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA11LA175

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that, following a maintenance test flight to verify that a newly installed power turbine governor was accurately set, he flew over the anticipated landing area and entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. While turning to the base leg of the traffic pattern, about 500 feet above ground level and at 40 to 50 knots, he reported that he heard a loud bang and that the airframe “lurched.” He entered an autorotation and located a vacant parking garage deck within gliding range. The engine-out audio warning sounded and segment lights illuminated. The pilot landed the helicopter and it skidded about 15 feet. A test run determined that the engine operated below the normal specifications for new engines. The pneumatic line from the power turbine governor was found to be leaking and was removed and sent to the NTSB's Materials Laboratory for further examination. That examination revealed superficial longitudinal tool marks that did not extend to the interior surfaces of the flared ends. The interior surface of the flared ends exhibited some localized fretting damage on one side, consistent with damage that could have been caused by inadequate torque at the connection; however, no other anomalies were noted. According to the engine manufacturer, the leak would not have caused the engine to operate below the normal specification. The postaccident examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.