Friday, June 07, 2019

Loss of Engine Power (Total): Bell UH-1H, N4085L; accident occurred June 06, 2019 in Bethel, Alaska

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket  - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


https://registry.faa.gov/N4085L



Location: Bethel, AK
Accident Number: GAA19CA344
Date & Time: 06/06/2019, 1400 AKD
Registration: N4085L
Aircraft: Bell UH 1H
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Analysis

The pilot reported that, before departure, he was told the helicopter was topped off with fuel for the multistop flight. He added that he did not verify the fuel quantity but that, when he departed for the last leg about 60 miles from the destination airport, the fuel gauge showed just below 600 lbs of fuel, and he decided to fly at 120 knots with a tailwind. He added that, about 3 miles from the destination airport, the engine lost power. He performed an autorotation, but the helicopter landed hard.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and transmission mounts.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot reported that, after landing, the fuel quantity gauge showed that there was about 225 lbs of fuel remaining and that the 20-minute fuel light, which did not illuminate during the flight, illuminated once on the ground. He estimated that the helicopter's fuel burn was about 75 to 80 gallons per hour (gph).

The chief pilot, who was also the helicopter's owner, reported that he had refueled the helicopter on uneven terrain before the flight. He filled the tank to the bottom of the filler cap on the left side, which he estimated was about 10 to 15 gallons less than the total fuel capacity of the 210-gallon tank. He estimated that the helicopter burned about 90 gph. He added that there were no open mechanical squawks on the helicopter and that he was not aware of any mechanical issues.

The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the helicopter at the accident site reported that the fuel quantity gauge had been serviced and calibrated earlier in the year but continued to indicate that fuel was onboard even after the helicopter ran out of fuel. The 20-minute low fuel light appeared to be functioning normally.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power, and his improper landing flare during a forced autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the inoperative fuel gauge, which was not accurately calibrated, and the pilot's reliance on the gauge.

Findings

Aircraft
Fuel - Fluid level (Cause)
Landing flare - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Fuel indication system - Incorrect service/maintenance (Factor)
Fuel - Inadequate inspection

Personnel issues
Fuel planning - Pilot (Cause)
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Factor)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering
Fuel exhaustion
Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)

Autorotation
Hard landing

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 50, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/07/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/12/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 5275 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2500 hours (Total, this make and model), 4795 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 78 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 62 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bell
Registration: N4085L
Model/Series: UH 1H No Series
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1968
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 68-15655
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Unknown
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 9500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: T53-13
Registered Owner: Yukon Helicopters Inc
Rated Power: 1400 hp
Operator: Yukon Helicopters Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137); Rotorcraft External Load (133)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PABE, 102 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2153 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 257°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 1600 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 310°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.24 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Bethel, AK (None)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Bethel, AK (BET)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: AKD
Type of Airspace: Class D 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 60.792222, -161.764722 (est)

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