Bell 206B N648CA

Summary

On 24 September 2015 at about 15:40 local time, a Bell 206B registered N648CA, operated by Chem-Air LLC, was involved in an accident near Woodville, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 September 2015 at 15:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Woodville, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.7881, -94.6564

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N648CA

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1982

Engines

1

Operator

Chem-Air LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Woodville → Woodville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15LA423

1 person was seriously injured.

The loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel tanks and the operator’s inadequate inspection of the fuel supply truck that did not detect water contamination.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the helicopter was filled with 80 gallons of herbicide and about 20 gallons of fuel before departure. He then departed from the support fuel truck and made a climbing right turn, during which the engine lost power. The pilot lowered the helicopter's nose in an attempt to regain rotor rpm; however, the helicopter did not have sufficient altitude to regain rotor rpm, and it subsequently impacted terrain. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed water contamination throughout the fuel system. Fuel samples taken from the support fuel truck also contained water contamination. The loss of engine power is consistent with water contamination in the fuel system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.