Bell 206B III accident near Ponderosa, New Mexico, February 11, 2013
On February 11, 2013 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Bell 206B III (helicopter), registered N360AW, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Ponderosa, New Mexico. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 11, 2013 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ponderosa, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B III · all 206B IIIs on the register
- Registration
- N360AW · no longer on the register · serial 2413
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported a total loss of engine power that occurred while flying at 50 miles per hour, at an altitude of about 200 feet above ground level during a wildlife survey. He stated that there were no unusual noises or warnings before the loss of engine power and that the engine spooled down just as if he were shutting the engine down. During the autorotation the helicopter lost rotor rpm, resulting in a hard touchdown. The main rotor blades partially severed the tail boom, and the helicopter rolled over on its left side. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have caused the loss of engine power. With the exception of a momentary power surge, the engine operated normally during an engine run. Both centrifugal fuel pumps were tested, and one was subsequently torn down; no anomalies with the fuel pumps were discovered that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Autorotation Hard landing
- Roll over during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 11,800 hours in all; 4,000 in this make and model; 220 in the last 90 days; 150 in the last 30 days; 11,700 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 29, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,259 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 25, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250 C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Ponderosa NM at 4:20 pm
- Destination: Ponderosa NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 5:50 pm from KAEG, 36 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.