# NTSB FTW68A0070: Bell 204-B, N8540F, Galveston, TX, January 10, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 10, 1968
- Place: Galveston, TX · GALVESTON, TX
- Location: 29.3014° N, 94.7978° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Galveston, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3014&lon=-94.7978&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 11 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 111516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW68A0070
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68A0070

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1117  68/1/10    GALVESTON,TEX       BELL 204-B          CR-  0  0  2  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 46, 7490
        TIME - 1143                    N8540F              PX-  0  0  9  CTR PASSG-D               TOTAL HOURS, 566 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SCHOLES FIELD
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-OFF AUTOROTATIVE LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX
           POWERPLANT - LUBRICATING SYSTEM: SEALS AND GASKETS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LEAK/LEAKAGE
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        REMARKS- COUPLING SPLINES FAILED DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICANT.SEAL DETERIORATED BY REACTIVE SOLVENT USED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8540F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8540F-1968-04-24), registration cancelled 1968-04-24, S/N 2033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 204-B
- Registry model: [Bell 204-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-204-b) (registry code 1181404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Scholes Field

## Other investigations on N8540F (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 FTW67A0065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67A0065), Dec 18, 1966: Bell 204-B (N8540F), Morgan City, LA, 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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