# NTSB FTW72AF081: Bell 205A-1, N2256W, Dulac, LA, May 29, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 29, 1972
- Place: Dulac, LA · DULAC, LA
- Location: 29.4008° N, 90.6932° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dulac, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4008&lon=-90.6932&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 11 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72AF081
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF081

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0659  72/5/29    DULAC,LA            BELL 205A-1         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 37, 4922
        TIME - 0604                    N2256W              PX- 10  0  0  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      TOTAL HOURS, 1566 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG S-D        TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DULAC,LA                    BLOCK 201,GULF MEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        FACTOR(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: TAIL ROTOR BLADES
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: MAIN ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        REMARKS- FATIGUE FAILURE BOTH TAIL ROTOR BLADE GRIPS,PN 204-011-728-13.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2256W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2256W-1972-07-12), registration cancelled 1972-07-12, S/N 30065 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 205A-1
- Registry model: [Bell 205A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-205a-1) (registry code 1181414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: 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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