Bell OH 58A accident near Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, March 13, 2019
On March 13, 2019 at about 9:55 pm local time, a 1973 Bell OH 58A (helicopter), registered N519P, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. It was a public-use flight (local) under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 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 due to the introduction of air into fuel lines and an interruption of fuel flow to the engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 13, 2019 · about 9:55 pm local time
- Place
- Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell OH 58A No Series, built 1973 · all OH 58As on the register
- Registration
- N519P · no longer on the register · serial 73-21899
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Public-use flight (local) · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the third aerial surveillance flight of the day, about 5 minutes after takeoff while orbiting at an altitude of 1,100 ft mean sea level, the helicopter experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot performed an autorotation to a fairway on a golf course. During the landing, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and the fuselage frame around the windscreen. An initial postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that air was present in the fuel lines, which likely led to an interruption in fuel flow to the engine and the loss of engine power. Additional examination confirmed continuity of the fuel system. The engine was subsequently run in the manufacturer’s test cell facility and met all performance standards with no anomalies noted. Given the postaccident findings and that the helicopter departed with the fuel tank about 3/4 full, the investigation was unable to determine how or where air was introduced into the fuel lines.
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
- Autorotation Off-field or emergency landing
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Fuel related during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 822 hours in all; 698 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 765 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 24, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,222 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 6, 2019; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce T63-A-720 (turboshaft); 6,260 hours total
- Operator: St Johns County Sheriffs Office
The flight
- Departed from: Ponte Vedra Bch FL at 9:50 pm
- Destination: SGJ St Augustine FL
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from CRG, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on October 29, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Log Excerpts | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum for Record - Engine Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.