# NTSB FTW82DA144: Bell 206L-1, N2138Y, Cameron, LA, April 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1982, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Cameron, LA
- Coordinates: 29.790855, -93.289543 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7909&lon=-93.2895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA144

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - corroded
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - fatigue (cause)
  - rotor system,tail rotor hub counterweight - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

N2138Y DEPARTED CAMERON, LA AFTER REFUELING EN ROUTE TO AN OFFSHORE RIG. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE, WHILE OVER WATER, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO YAW AND VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR PEDALS "KICKED" HARD WHEN ADDITIONAL POWER WAS APPLIED. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO SPIRAL AND TUCK TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE FLOATS AND CLOSED THE THROTTLE IN AN EFFORT TO CUSHION THE IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE REVEALED THAT THE BLADE TIP COUNTERWEIGHT SEPARATED, CAUSING A SEVERE DYNAMIC IMBALANCE. THE COUNTERWEIGHT SEPARATION WAS DUE TO DEBONDING OF THE WEIGHT BLOCK AND THE BLADESKIN SOMETIME PRIOR TO THE SUBJECT FLIGHT. EXAMINATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX REVEALED EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE FRACTURES OF THE GEARBOX ATTACHMENT STUB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2138Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2138Y-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 45639, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C28 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c28-series) (registry code 03022, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45639
- Airframe hours: 419
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28 576 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Petroleum Helicipters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicipters, Inc.
- Departed: CAMERON, LA
- Destination: VE58, GULF OF MEXICO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,033 total, 196 in this make and model, 2,618 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 129 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820422010619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820422010619A), Apr 22, 1982: Bell 206L1, Cameron, LA, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor assembly. Popped floats before hitting water in a right spin. Floated inverted. Blade debonding.

## Other investigations on N2138Y (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 NYC01LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA088), Mar 23, 2001: Bell 206 L-1 (N2138Y), Seneca Falls, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of a bolt in a Thomas coupling on the tail rotor drive shaft, for undetermined reasons, during climb, while operating over unsuitable terrain.

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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