# NTSB FTW80FA093: Bell 205A-1, N6207N, Arcola, TX, July 18, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 18, 1980
- Place: Arcola, TX · ARCOLA, TX
- Location: 29.5038° N, 95.4696° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arcola, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5038&lon=-95.4696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 4, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FA093
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA093

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3263  80/7/18  NR.ARCOLA,TX          BELL 205A-1         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1520                    N6207N              PX-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            34, 3940 TOTAL HOURS, 500
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ARCOLA-HOUSTON
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          HOUSTON,TX                 ARCOLA,TX                     GLS 104 OFFSHORE RIG
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: SKID ASSEMBLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LATERAL IMBALANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - ROTOR ASSEMBLIES: MAIN ROTOR BLADES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- FIXED FLOAT LNDG GR. FWD X-TUBE FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE. MAST BUMPING OCCURRED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6207N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6207N-1982-08-24), registration cancelled 1982-08-24, S/N 30001 (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
- Airport: Arcola-Houston

## 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 19800718034829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800718034829A), Jul 18, 1980: Bell 205A1, Arcola, TX, Destroyed. Front cross tube on helicopter float gear, failed in flight. Aircraft broke up, fell to ground inverted.

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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