ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 278967
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Wednesday 13 March 2019 |
| Time: | 17:55 LT |
| Type: |  Bell OH-58A Kiowa |
| Owner/operator: | St. Johns Co Sheriff's Office |
| Registration: | N519P |
| MSN: | 42165 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1973 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 8222 hours |
| Engine model: | Rolls Royce T63-A-720 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Survey |
| Departure airport: | Ponte Vedra Bch, FL |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
During the third aerial surveillance flight of the day, about 5 minutes after takeoff while orbiting at an altitude of 1,100 ft mean sea level, the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed an autorotation to a fairway on a golf course. During the landing, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and the fuselage frame around the windscreen. An initial postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that air was present in the fuel lines, which likely led to an interruption in fuel flow to the engine and the loss of engine power. Additional examination confirmed continuity of the fuel system. The engine was subsequently run in the manufacturer's test cell facility and met all performance standards with no anomalies noted. Given the postaccident findings and that the helicopter departed with the fuel tank about 3/4 full, the investigation was unable to determine how or where air was introduced into the fuel lines.
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to the introduction of air into fuel lines and an interruption of fuel flow to the engine.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB ERA19LA126
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 05-Jun-2022 13:14 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
| 30-May-2023 07:36 | Ron Averes | Updated |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation