# NTSB BFO85FA049: Bell 222U, N3180K, Milford, VA, May 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1985, 08:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Milford, VA
- Coordinates: 38.019935, -77.360466 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0199&lon=-77.3605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11134/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,free(power) turbine - burst (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - turboshaft engine - foreign object damage (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering
- Fire, descent - emergency
  - fuel system,line - foreign object damage (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE HELO WAS IN LEVEL CRUISE FLT AT 1500 FT AND 115 KTS WHEN THE NO. 2 ENG CHIP LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ACCOMPANIED BY LOWERING OIL PRESSURE. THE PLT REDUCED PWR AND STARTED A RT TURN TO RETURN TO BASE WHEN HALF WAY THRU THE TURN A LOUD BANG OCCURRED FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE POWER LOSS OF BOTH ENGINES AND ENG CMPT FIRE. A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION ENSUED, AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH THE ACFT SYSTEM AFTER LNDG. LATER EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 3 BEARING HAD FAILED. ULTIMATELY RELEASING THE PWR TURBINE ASSY FROM THE ENG. THE TURBINE DISC WELDED TO THE TAILPIPE CENTER BODY, FAILING THE DISC. FRAGMENTS STRUCK THE NO. 1 ENGINE WHICH RESULTED IN ITS UNCOMMANDED SHUT DOWN. BOTH ENGINES HAD A LENGTHY HISTORY OF CHIP ALARMS. LYCOMING HAD RECENTLY APPROVED A 100 HR. EXTENSION TO THE RECOMMENDED HOT SECTION INTERVAL AFTER A REVIEW OF MAINT. RECORDS. THREE SCAVENGE CHIP ALARMS OCCURRED DRG THE 50 HRS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3180K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 222U
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47516
- Airframe hours: 613
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS101-750C-1 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Aircraft Management Service
- Registered owner: Textron Financial Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 19, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: RIC, RICHMOND, VA
- Destination: QUANTICO, VA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,306 total, 602 in this make and model, 144 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIC, 27 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 19850531077539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850531077539A), May 31, 1985: Bell 222U, Milford, VA, Substantial damage. The number 3 bearing tailed, causing catastrophic engine failure. The pilot safely landed in a bean field.

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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