ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 294452
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: | Saturday 25 September 2004 |
| Time: | 17:30 LT |
| Type: |  Bell 206B3 |
| Owner/operator: | Provine Helicopter Service Inc. |
| Registration: | N96PH |
| MSN: | 3094 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1980 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 10604 hours |
| Engine model: | Rolls-Royce C20B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Starkville, Mississippi -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Starkville, MS |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot stated that he was en route, at an altitude of about 100 feet AGL, when all of a sudden he saw the low engine rpm light illuminate, and heard the associated audible alarm as the engine ceased operating. He said he immediately lowered the collective and raised the nose of the helicopter to regain rotor rpm, and made a hard autorotative landing to a clearing. An FAA inspector who responded to the accident scene stated that during the course of the postcrash examination he found fuel in the fuel tank. and upon further examination, found that the fuel filter was found to contain "50 percent dark colored water and trash", According to the inspector, dark water was found in the fuel pump filter, and the fuel tank, and in addition, the fuel control filter and fuel nozzle filter was partially clogged. Laboratory analysis of samples of fuel found in the accident helicopter confirmed the presence of particulate matter and water in the samples. According to the laboratory report, the particulate matter was determined to be microbiological growth that was resident in the fuel.
Probable Cause: The operator's inadequate maintenance inspections and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in the helicopter being operated with a contaminated fuel system, that resulted in fuel starvation, and the loss of engine power.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB MIA04LA129
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 4 October 1983 | N57556 | Luebell Helicopter Services In | 0 | Fort Bridger, WY | |
sub |
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Oct-2022 18:23 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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