Bell 206B III N360AW

Summary

On 11 February 2013 at about 17:30 local time, a Bell 206B III registered N360AW, operated by Aerowest Helicopter Svc, was involved in an accident near Ponderosa, New Mexico, 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

11 February 2013 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ponderosa, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

35.6778, -106.6753

Aircraft

Bell 206B III

Registration

N360AW

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Aerowest Helicopter Svc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ponderosa → Ponderosa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13LA158

Nobody was injured.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported a total loss of engine power that occurred while flying at 50 miles per hour, at an altitude of about 200 feet above ground level during a wildlife survey. He stated that there were no unusual noises or warnings before the loss of engine power and that the engine spooled down just as if he were shutting the engine down. During the autorotation the helicopter lost rotor rpm, resulting in a hard touchdown. The main rotor blades partially severed the tail boom, and the helicopter rolled over on its left side. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have caused the loss of engine power. With the exception of a momentary power surge, the engine operated normally during an engine run. Both centrifugal fuel pumps were tested, and one was subsequently torn down; no anomalies with the fuel pumps were discovered that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.