# NTSB FTW80DRA49: Bell 206L1, N1069C, Gulf Coast, TX, August 26, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 26, 1980
- Place: Gulf Coast, TX · GULF COAST, TX
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 4, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80DRA49
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRA49

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2518  80/8/26  NR.GULF COAST,TX      BELL 206L1          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 40, 5434
        TIME - 1527                    N1069C              PX-  0  0  3  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 41 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GULF OF MEXICO              FREEPORT,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: ENGINE DRIVE SHAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- SHORT SHAFT,P/N 206-040-015-015,S/N AMN-10228,FAILED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1069C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1069C-2000-05-16), registration cancelled 2000-05-16, S/N 45335 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800826039829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800826039829A), Aug 26, 1980: Bell 206L1, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot made emergency landing on water. Helicopter short shaft had failed.

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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