Mbb BO-105-CBS-4 accident near Valdez, Alaska, February 10, 1991
On February 10, 1991 at about 3:55 pm local time, a Mbb BO-105-CBS-4 (helicopter), registered N5413D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Valdez, Alaska. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THE APPROVAL CHECKLIST, IMPROPER PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 10, 1991 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Valdez, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mbb BO-105-CBS-4 BO-105-CBS
- Registration
- N5413D · registry record · serial 5786
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF ONE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ELECTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER WRECKAGE REVEALED THE PILOT DID NOT TURN ON THE 4 FUEL PUMPS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AS REQUIRED BY THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,779 hours in all; 295 in this make and model; 143 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 2,589 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,472 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, January 31, 1991; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,512 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Heli-Lift, INC.
The flight
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 20,000 ft; scat at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.