# NTSB ATL90FA100: Bell 205A-1, N67HJ, Moncks Corner, SC, April 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1990, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Moncks Corner, SC
- Coordinates: 33.190376, -79.99089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1904&lon=-79.9909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA100

## Probable cause

THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF A PILLOW BLOCK BOLT, AND THE FAILURE OF THE OPERATOR/REPAIR STATION TO FOLLOW THE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, hover
  - rotor system,main rotor hub pillow block - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - performed, company maintenance personnel
  - procedures/directives - not followed, company maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING USED FOR LOGGING USING AN EXTERNAL LIFT LONG LINE. A LOAD OF LOGS WAS RETURNED TO THE LOGGING LANE BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO HEAVY. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS BROUGHT TO A HOVER, & THE LOAD PICKLED, THE GROUND CREW OBSERVED THAT THE HELIOCPTER BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE HELICOPTER NOSE PITCHED UP, IT ROLLED LEFT, & FELL TO THE GROUND FROM ABOUT 200 FEET. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT NONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR PILLOW BLOCK BOLTS WERE PRESENT. DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR WAS CONSISTENT WITH A FAILURE OF ONE OF THE BOLTS, IN-FLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN SEPARATION OF THE MAIN ROTOR FROM THE MAST. LABORATORY EXAM OF THE MAIN ROTOR REVEALED THAT MFGRS OVERHAUL PROCEDURES WERE NOT FOLLOWED WHICH PROBABLY ALLOWED CORROSION OF THE BOLTS TO OCCUR. THE PROCEDURES WERE CHANGED TO PRECLUDE RE-USE OF PILLOW BLOCK BOLTS DURING OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67HJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67HJ-2003-02-06), registration cancelled 2003-02-06, S/N 30193, built 1975 (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 T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41552, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 30193
- Airframe hours: 10639
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-13B 1400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Heli Jet Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 15, 1990, 16 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,200 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 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 19900420010419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900420010419A), Apr 20, 1990: Bell 205A1, Moncks Corner, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pillow block bolts failed during heavy external load allowed main rotors to drop on mast. Helicopter fell in trees.

## Other investigations on N67HJ (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 SEA78FYE05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FYE05), Jan 13, 1978: Bell 205A-1 (N67HJ), Castle Rock, WA, destroyed

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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