# NTSB ATL89FA112: Bell 206B, N5004F, Atlanta, GA, March 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1989, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.780971, -84.380722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7810&lon=-84.3807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7882
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7882/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA112

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT IN AN AREA WHERE THERE WAS A LACK OF LUBRICATION (OIL STARVATION) DUE TO A PARTIALLY BLOCKED OIL DELIVERY TUBE.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE:  INATTENTIVE MAINTENANCE OR SERVICING OF THE AIRCRAFT BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK, AND THE ELECTRICAL (TRANSMISSION) WIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - lubricating system,oil port/passage,internal - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inattentive, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine shaft - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DRG TAKEOFF FROM A HELIPAD AT DUSK, THE ENG LOST PWR AS THE HELICOPTER WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 75' AGL. THE PLT INITIATEDAN AUTOROTATION TO A PARKING LOT, WHICH REQUIRED THE USE OF COLLECTIVE TO REACH THE LOT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER HIT AN ELECTRICAL WIRE OVER THE PARKING LOT, THEN CRASHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE TURBINE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. ALUMINUM RICH METAL DEBRIS WAS FOUND BLOCKING THE OIL DELIVERY TUBE TO THE GEARSHAFT; THE OIL INLET SCREEN FILTER WAS MISSING;  AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING & EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE GEARSHAFT SPLINES. THE 100 HR INSPN CHECKLIST FOR THE ENG REQUIRED THE REMOVAL & INSPN OF THE ENG OIL SYS FILTER. WITH THE FILTER REMOVED, THERE WAS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT OIL DELIVERY TUBE & THE OIL TUBE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY CUP FILTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5004F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5004F-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 2443, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2443
- Airframe hours: 4894
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Dooley Helicopters Inc, doing business as Dooley Ltd
- Registered owner: Revco Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 28, 1989, 72 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 19,400 total, 6,627 in this make and model, 101 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 11 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 7 nm away

## 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 19890322004339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890322004339A), Mar 22, 1989: Bell 206B, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Lost engine power shortly after leaving rooftop pad. Autorotated but hit wire in parking lot. Spur gearshaft broke.

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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