# NTSB BFO87FA057: Bell 206B, N83080, Washington, DC, August 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1987, 07:36 local (11:36 UTC)
- Place: Washington, DC
- Coordinates: 38.889686, -77.02993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8897&lon=-77.0299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11291/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FA057

## 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, hover
  - fluid,oil - contamination (contributing factor)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine shaft - worn (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine shaft - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - reduced
  - proper altitude - not maintained
  - autorotation - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A LCL PHOTOGRAPHY (SIGHT-SEEING) FLT. WHILE HOVERING AT APRX 200' ABV THE POTOMAC RIVER, THE ENG LOST PWR. THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION & DEPLOYED THE EMERG FLOATS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN THE RIVER & ROLLED OVR, BUT WAS SUPPORTED (UPSIDE DOWN) IN THE WATER BY THE FLOATS. AFTER RECOVERY, NO PREIMPACT PART FAIL- URE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME WAS FND. HOWEVER, A TEARDOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT (SAG), PN 6890482, HAD FAILED FROM WEAR & SUBSEQUENT FATIGUE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT THE FWD, SPLINED END OF THE SAG. DEBRIS (82% SILICON) WAS FND INSIDE THE OIL DELIVERY TUBE. THE OIL JETS FOR THE #2 & #3 BRGS WERE OBSTRUCTED, BUT THE JET FOR SAG WAS NOT OBSTRUCTED. THE PRECISE NATURE OF THE CONDS & CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO EXCESSIVE WEAR WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE HEIGHT/VELOCITY DIAGRAM IN THE FLT MANUAL SHOWED HOVERING FLT BTN 10 & 400 FT SHOULD BE AVOIDED (TO ALLOW FOR SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATIVE LNDG IN THE EVENT OF A PWR LOSS).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83080](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83080-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 900, built 1972 (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 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 900
- Airframe hours: 3421
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Stuart Aviation
- Registered owner: Advest Credit Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1987, 23 hours before
- Departed: DCA, WASHINGTON, DC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 7,100 total, 391 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 1 nm away

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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