On November 20, 1993, a Bell 206L-1 (registration N911ME) operated by Echo Helicopter Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Portland, ME. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engine failed while the aircraft was operating in instrument meteorological conditions and heavy headwinds during a return flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An EMS helicopter experienced an engine failure during a return flight to Portland, resulting in a ditching in the ocean approximately seven miles east of the airport.
What happened
The pilot departed Portland for Ellsworth to perform a medical transport mission, carrying 2 hours and 45 minutes of fuel. The helicopter has a total fuel capacity of approximately 570 lbs, with an estimated fuel burn rate between 200 and 220 lbs per hour. While the 97 NM flight to Ellsworth is typically completed in under one hour, the outbound leg took 1 hour and 10 minutes due to wind conditions.
After picking up the patient at Ellsworth, the pilot departed for the return flight to Portland with 310 lbs of fuel remaining. During this leg, the aircraft encountered instrument meteorological conditions and a substantial headwind ranging from 40 to 60 knots. While being vectored into the Portland airport, the engine quit, forcing the pilot to ditch the aircraft in the ocean. The ditching occurred in rough seas approximately 7 miles east of the airport.
Probable cause
The engine failed while the aircraft was operating in instrument meteorological conditions and heavy headwinds during a return flight.