# NTSB Accident LAX97GA235
> **Bell BHT-206L-1** · 1997-07-07 · HIGHLAND, CA, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** LAX97GA235
- **Event ID:** 20001208X08415
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1997-07-07
- **Location:** HIGHLAND, CA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 34.130203, -117.150726
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 1
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Bell
- **Model:** BHT-206L-1
- **Registration:** N27591
- **FAR Part:** PUBU
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

Loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.  Also causal was the ingestion of entrapped air that occurred during an abrupt maneuver and fuel-borne contamination that caused the fuel system check valves to leak, resulted in a lower than expected fuel level in the main fuel cell.  A related factor was mountainous terrain.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=LAX97GA235) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*