# NTSB FTW82DA281: Bell 206B, N116AL, Sabine, TX, July 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1982, 07:17 local (12:17 UTC)
- Place: Sabine, TX
- Coordinates: 29.730209, -93.890106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7302&lon=-93.8901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72447/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA281

## 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, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,pump - worn (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT BEGAN AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING AND MADE A MAYDAY CALL. HE AUTOROTATED TO A MARSHY AREA WHICH HAD 4 TO 5 FT GRASS. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWN AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT SPLINES ON THE FUEL PUMP DRIVE SHAFT, PN 102-1416-01, HAD WORN TO A POINT WHERE THEY NO LONGER ENGAGED THE SPLINE ADAPTER. ALL APPLICABLE INSPECTIONS HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH, 205 HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N116AL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 002389
- Airframe hours: 5033
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20B 430 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Logistics
- Registered owner: Joseph D. Murray
- Departed: 154, HIGH ISLAND, GM
- Destination: CAMERON, LA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 13,578 total, 5,045 in this make and model, 9,689 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 172 °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 19820714029009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820714029009A), Jul 14, 1982: Bell 206B3, Sabine, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failure en route. Autorotated into a swamp. Impact cut off tail boom. Engine fuel pump drive shaft 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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