# NTSB FTW82FRJ17: Bell 206B, N5754P, Jamestown, LA, August 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1982
- Place: Jamestown, LA
- Location: 32.3419° N, 93.2066° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jamestown, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3419&lon=-93.2066&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FRJ17
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRJ17

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - rotor drive system,engine to transmission drive - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL BURNING OPERATIONS OVER A WOODED AREA WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE HELICOPTER. AT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 FT ABOVE THE TALLEST TREE IN THE AREA WITH THE AERIAL TORCH BURNING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RPM AUDIO IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCEND. HE KEYED THE MICROPHONE AND CALLED "ENGINE FAILURE, ENGINE FAILURE" TWICE, AND DIRECTED THE HELICOPTER TO THE CLEAREST AREA. AFTER CRASHING INTO TREES, THE PILOT MANAGED TO CRAWL OUT. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MAIN DRIVE SHAFT, PN 206-040-110-3, HAD FAILED, THUS DISCONNECTING THE ENGINE FROM THE MAIN ROTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5754P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5754P-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 3069, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3069
- Airframe hours: 1040
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 270 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 133
- Operator: International Paper Co.
- Registered owner: International Paper Co.
- Departed: JAMESTOWN, LA
- Destination: JAMESTOWN, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,035 total, 337 in this make and model, 3,714 as pilot in command, 139 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 18 statute miles
- Temperature: 183 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19820827042369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820827042369A), Aug 27, 1982: Bell 206B, Jamestown, LA, Destroyed. Main rotor drive shaft broke during forest burning operation. Helicopter crashed into trees and burned.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.