Pilot Debrief

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 600N near Eagle Lake, TX — 2024-07-16

Final reportCEN24LA271
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Date
2024-07-16
Location
Eagle Lake, TX, USA
Aircraft
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 600N
Registration
N609RP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The operator’s improper installation of the fuel system, which resulted in fuel starvation, a loss of engine power, and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The operator was providing flight services to law enforcement for training purposes at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the last flight of the evening, he flew the helicopter at a low altitude and at a low airspeed when the helicopter exhibited low rotor rpm. The helicopter lost partial engine power, and the pilot performed a forced landing. The helicopter was destroyed by impact forces. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed the helicopter’s fuel system was incorrectly installed and drew fuel from the forward portion of the left fuel cell, allowing air to be drawn into the fuel system when the fuel level reached an unsustainable level for engine operation. A correct installation of the fuel system would have had fuel being drawn from the aft portion of the left fuel tanks, which had about 19.5 gallons of fuel available. Maintenance entries showed that the pilot, who was also a mechanic, performed recent maintenance within the left fuel cell and such maintenance would have required the pilot to remove and visually inspect the fuel system components within the left fuel cell that were found to be improperly installed. The improper installation resulted in the fuel system not scavenging the available fuel from the aft portion of the left fuel cell.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Properly maintaining fuel system could have prevented power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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