Bell OH 58A N206WH accident near Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB analysis

About 1 month before the accident flight, the helicopter, which had not been flown in about 7 years, was fueled with about 40 gallons of fuel, of which 3 gallons were drained to remove potential contamination. The helicopter was flown 1.8 hours between the fueling and the accident flight. There was no record of additional fuel being added between those flights and the accident flight.

About 15 minutes after departing on the accident flight, between 500 and 1,000 ft above ground level (agl), the engine lost total power. The pilot performed an autorotation and landed on level, soft terrain, the helicopter tipped forward onto the nose, and the pilot applied aft cyclic to correct. The main rotor blades impacted the tailboom, severing it from the helicopter, and the main rotor transmission and rotor head separated from the mount.

The helicopter was not recovered and could not be examined after the accident. The amount of fuel onboard at the time of departure could not be determined. Based on the available information, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA18LA271 for the full record.