Bell 206 accident near Zephyrhills, Florida, October 16, 2020
On October 16, 2020 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 1981 Bell 206 (helicopter), registered N777CP, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Zephyrhills, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Improper torquing of the “B” nut at the fuel control unit, which led to a total loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation that resulted in substantial damage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 16, 2020 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Zephyrhills, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 B, built 1981 · all 206s on the register
- Registration
- N777CP · registry record · serial 3429
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While in cruise flight, the pilot heard a binding sound and felt a reduction in engine power. The low rotor rpm aural alarm then sounded, and he initiated an autorotation to swampy terrain. The helicopter came to rest amongst pine trees and undergrowth. The tailboom was impact separated and the main rotors were fractured about midspan. During a detailed examination of the helicopter, the “B” nut at the engine fuel control unit was found loose with no thread engagement. During a test run of the engine, the “B” nut was tightened and torqued to proper specification. The engine ran smoothly and continuously at all power settings. A review of the helicopter’s maintenance records revealed the last annual inspection was completed about 75 hours prior to the accident. The pilot, who also holds an airframe and powerplant certificate, was the last person to perform maintenance on the engine. According to the Rolls-Royce maintenance manual, torque paint must be applied to all the rigid tube “B” nuts to ensure proper tightening. According to the maintenance manual, “failure to properly install, align, and tighten fuel, oil, and air fittings could result in an engine failure.”
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
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel controlling system › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,860 hours in all; 2,400 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 6,600 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 23, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,582 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 8, 2020; 74.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250 C20-B (turboshaft); 1,876 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Plant City FL at 7:00 pm
- Destination: KCRG Jacksonville FL
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from ZPH, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KZPH 161915Z AUTO 01009KT 10SM CLR 31/20 A2998 RMK A02 T03060196
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on June 10, 2022. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation - Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Rolls-royce Maintenance Manual (Excerpts) | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Excerpt from Rolls-royce Engine Examination Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.