# NTSB DEN82DA040: Bell 206B III, N16867, Trenton, ND, March 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1982, 12:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Trenton, ND
- Coordinates: 48.080287, -103.839897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0803&lon=-103.8399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA040

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS HOVERING DURING A SLING LOAD OPERATION WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT RELEASED THE LOAD BUT DUE TO LOW ROTOR RPM THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT. INVESTIGATON REVEALED A FAILURE OF THE FORWARD MALE SPLINES ON THE SPIN ADAPTER GEARSHAFT AND THE FUEL NOZZLE SCREEN COLLAPSED AND CLOGGED WITH FIBROUS DEBRIS.

## 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, hover
  - fuel system,nozzle - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16867](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16867-1984-05-15), registration cancelled 1984-05-15, S/N 2250 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2250
- Airframe hours: 2523
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: Airwest Helicopters Inc
- Registered owner: B & G Leasing
- Departed: ISN, WILLISTON, ND
- Destination: ISN, WILLISTON, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,538 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 6,233 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19820307049539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820307049539A), Mar 7, 1982: Bell 206B, Trenton, ND, Substantial damage. Lost rotor RPM. Released sling load. Crash landed. Worn gearshaft splines failed. Clogged fuel nozzel.

## Other investigations on N16867 (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 DEN80DTC04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80DTC04), Dec 28, 1979: Bell 206B (N16867), Thermopolis, WY, substantial damage

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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