# NTSB ATL87LA119: Bell UH-1B, N46884, Clarksville, TN, April 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1987, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Clarksville, TN
- Coordinates: 36.56945, -87.420776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5695&lon=-87.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7414/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - disregarded, company/operator management (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, company/operator management (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - maintenance,major repair - not performed, company/operator management (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST TAIL ROTOR CONTROL IN CRUISE FLIGHT AFTER THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT SEPARATED. THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM HAD SUSTAINED PREVIOUS DAMAGE ABOUT 4 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT WHEN, WHILE BEING OPERATED AS A PUBLIC USE AIRCRAFT, THE HELICOPTER SKIDDED OFF A PORTABLE LANDING PAD. THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS SHOWED NO MAINTENANCE OR INSPECTIONS SINCE THAT PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM. THE PUBLIC USE AGENCY HAD ELECTED NOT TO REPAIR THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM AND SUBSEQUENTLY SOLD THE HELICOPTER TO AN AIRCRAFT DEALER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46884](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46884-2011-04-05), registration cancelled 2011-04-05, S/N 64-14057 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Registry model: [Bell VH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-vh-1b) (registry code 1181409) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 64-14057
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: LYCOMING T-53 6600 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Continental Jet Of Tenn., Inc.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,177 total, 970 in this make and model, 4,920 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19870421060899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870421060899A), Apr 21, 1987: Bell UH1B, Clarksville, TN, Destroyed. Helicopter impacted ground and rolled over after loss of tail rotor control. Prior damage ignored. No airworthiness

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.