# NTSB FTW82DA201: Bell 206L-1, N1070D, High Island 389, May 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1982, 12:24 local (17:24 UTC)
- Place: High Island 389
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71022
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71022/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA201

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, landing - flare/touchdown
  - turbine assembly,turbine wheel - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT APPROACHING LANDING PLATFORM HEARD A LOUD BANG AND AUTOROTATED TO WATER. AIRCRAFT ROLLED INVERTED AND WAS DAMAGED BY WAVES BANGING IT AGAINST PLATFORM. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE FIRST STAGE TURBINE WHEEL, PN 6895801G, HAD FAILED AND EXITED THE CASE. THE WHEEL FAILED FROM LOW CYCLE THERMAL FATIGUE WHICH ORIGINATED IN THE RIM AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1070D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1070D-1989-01-05), registration cancelled 1989-01-05, S/N 45309 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45309
- Airframe hours: 2267
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Houston Helicopters
- Registered owner: Houston Helicopters
- Departed: 595, HIGH ISLAND, GM
- Destination: HIGH ISLAND 389, GM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 389, High Island 389

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 14,286 total, 1,903 in this make and model, 14,286 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 189 °F

## 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 19820529020049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820529020049A), May 29, 1982: Bell 206L1, High Island, TX, Destroyed. Engine quit on preparing to land on oil platform. Autorotated to water. Waves demolished chopper. Failed turbine.

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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