# NTSB ANC84LA089: Bell 205A-1, N58116, Talkeetna, AK, June 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1984, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.449932, -149.790145 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4499&lon=-149.7901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA089

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - fatigue (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - failure,partial (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - corroded (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST PICKED UP AN EXTERNAL 'SLING' LOAD OF 2700 LBS OF BACK-FILL IN A CEMENT BUCKET. AT 900 FT AGL THE ACFT STARTED A VERTICAL VIBRATION. AS COLLECTIVE WAS BOTTOMED A LARGE PIECE OF ONE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEPARATED. THE PLT SAID HE JETTISONED THE LOAD AND THE 100 FT LINE AND LANDED THE ACFT IN A MOUNTAIN SIDE CLEARING. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION A PORTION OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE ABOUT 32 INCHES LONG WAS FOUND MISSING. THIS FAILURE STARTED WITH A CRACK ON THE BLADE. WHILE ON THE GROUND THE DROOPING OF THE BLADE WOULD TEND TO CLOSE AND MASK THE CRACK ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BLADE WHERE IT WOULD MORE READILY HAVE BEEN SEEN. A GENERAL AVIATION AIRWORTHINESS ALERT STATED THAT FRACTURES ON HELICOPTER BLADES OCCUR AT LOCATIONS WHERE BLADE DAMAGE EXISTED. DAMAGE RANGING FROM SCRATCHES, DENTS, NICKS OR CORROSION PITS BECAME A POTENTIAL POINT FOR STRESS TO CONCENTRATE AND PROPAGATE INTO CRACKS LEADING TO BLADE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58116](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58116-2007-01-16), registration cancelled 2007-01-16, S/N 30133, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 205A-1
- Registry model: [Bell 205A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-205a-1) (registry code 1181414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T5313B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t5313b) (registry code 41613, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 30133
- Airframe hours: 4388
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-13 1250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Registered owner: Alaska Helecopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 30, 1984, 50 hours before
- Departed: GOLD CREEK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,430 total, 450 in this make and model, 9,400 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840612024259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840612024259A), Jun 12, 1984: Bell 205A1, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Helicopter experienced intensive vibration. Autorotation was accomplished. 32 inches of rotor blade skin missing.

## Other investigations on N58116 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC76AA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76AA132), Sep 13, 1976: Bell 205A-1 (N58116), Drift River, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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