Bell 206B N555NB

Summary

On 22 January 2012 at about 21:40 local time, a Bell 206B registered N555NB, operated by Longhorn Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Irving, Texas, United States. 4 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

22 January 2012 at 21:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Irving, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.8707, -96.9997

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N555NB

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Longhorn Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Waco → Irving

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA141

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the landing sequence to the landing zone, the helicopter’s fuel light illuminated and the engine lost power. The pilot performed an autorotation to flat terrain at a golf course. During the forced landing, the helicopter impacted the level terrain and came to rest about 10 feet from the initial impact point. An on-scene examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of fuel and the fuel gauge read empty. Less than a half gallon of fuel was recovered and there was no evidence of fuel contamination. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no anomalies. The pilot stated that he mismanaged his fuel and that the tailwind component was less than forecast.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.