# NTSB FTW80FRD16: Bell 212, N71AL, Houma, LA, February 18, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 18, 1980
- Place: Houma, LA · HOUMA, LA
- Location: 29.5786° N, 90.7079° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houma, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5786&lon=-90.7079&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FRD16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FRD16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0167  80/2/18    HOUMA,LA            BELL 212            CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1900                    N71AL               PX-  0  0  1  TEST                      33, 5608 TOTAL HOURS, 221
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HOUMA TERREBONNE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HOUMA,LA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: TAIL ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: POWER-ON LANDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: TAIL ROTOR GEAR BOX
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WRONG PART
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- INPUT QUILL COUPLING NOT CORRECT P/N FOR ASSY P/N 212-040-003-011.CRASHED IN SWAMP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71AL-1986-06-13), registration cancelled 1986-06-13, S/N 30664 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 212
- Registry model: [Bell 212](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-212) (registry code 1181420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Houma Terrebonne

## 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 19800218003369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800218003369A), Feb 18, 1980: Bell 212, Houma, LA, Substantial damage. Failure in tail rotor gear box during maintenance test flight. Hit ground during spin to right.

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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