NONE · Bell 407 · 2003-05-11 · Gulf Of Mexico, USA
Event
NTSB number
FTW03FA148
Event ID
20030519X00686
Type
Accident
Date
2003-05-11
Location
Gulf Of Mexico, USA
Coordinates
29.686666, -91.171669
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
4
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
Bell
Model
407
Registration
N491PH
FAR Part
135
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The short circuit of the C321capacitor in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that resulted in a single-point failure of the ECU's -15V power supply which disengaged/reverted the Hydro-mechanical Unit (HMU) from automatic to manual fuel control. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's attempted remedial actions in the manual mode that resulted in the engine over temperature and loss of power, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.