# NTSB FTW82DA342: Bell 206B, N208EH, Port Mansfield, TX, August 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1982, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Mansfield, TX
- Coordinates: 26.469387, -97.779129 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4694&lon=-97.7791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA342
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72290/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA342

## 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 drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING FERRIED TO SHORE FROM AN OIL RIG WHEN THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX FAILED AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED TO THE WATER. UPON WATER CONTACT THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT HAD CALLED HIS SKIPPER ON THE RADIO AS HE SPIRALED DOWN FROM 1800 FEET FOR A PICKUP POSITION. HE POPPED THE FLOATS UPON LANDING AND WAITED FOR RESCUE AFTER HE EXITED THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N208EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N208EH-1984-03-03), registration cancelled 1984-03-03, S/N 3348 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3384
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Era Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Era Helicopters Inc.
- Departed: NO. PADRE ILSE, GM
- Destination: RKP, ROCKPORT, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,650 total, 1,562 in this make and model, 4,650 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 205 °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 19820821040679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820821040679A), Aug 21, 1982: Bell 206B, Port Mansfield, TX, Substantial damage. Tail rotor gear box separated in flight, helicoper autorotated into water.

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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