Bell 206 N777CP

Summary

On 16 October 2020 at about 19:15 local time, a Bell 206 registered N777CP was involved in an accident near Zephyrhills, 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

16 October 2020 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Zephyrhills, Florida, United States

Coordinates

28.3386, -81.9575

Aircraft

Bell 206

Registration

N777CP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1981

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plant City → Jacksonville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA21LA023

Nobody was injured.

Improper torquing of the “B” nut at the fuel control unit, which led to a total loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation that resulted in substantial damage.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight, the pilot heard a binding sound and felt a reduction in engine power. The low rotor rpm aural alarm then sounded, and he initiated an autorotation to swampy terrain. The helicopter came to rest amongst pine trees and undergrowth. The tailboom was impactseparated and the main rotors were fractured about midspan. During a detailed examination of the helicopter, the “B” nut at the engine fuel control unit was found loose with no thread engagement. During a test run of the engine, the “B” nut was tightened and torqued to proper specification. The engine ran smoothly and continuously at all power settings. A review of the helicopter’s maintenance records revealed the last annual inspection was completed about 75 hours prior to the accident. The pilot, who also holds an airframe and powerplant certificate, was the last person to perform maintenance on the engine. According to the Rolls-Royce maintenance manual, torque paint must be applied to all the rigid tube “B” nuts to ensure proper tightening. According to the maintenance manual, “failure to properly install, align, and tighten fuel, oil, and air fittings could result in an engine failure.”

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.