# NTSB FTW83IA084: Bell 222, N23021, Houston, TX, January 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1983, 16:33 local (22:33 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.65047, -95.279113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6505&lon=-95.2791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83IA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83IA084

## 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 - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION WHILE IN FLT. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING WITH NO FURTHER ACFT DAMAGE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE WALKING BEAM ASSEMBLY LOCATED BETWEEN THE SWASH PLATE AND ROTOR PITCH LINK HAD FAILED. FRACTURING ORIGINATED AT A CORROSION PIT ON A THREAD FLANK. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION OF THE THREADS REVEALED THAT LOCAL AREA OF CORROSION PITTING HAD OCCURRED WHERE THE SHOT PEEN BALLS HAD BEEN CONTACTING THE FLANKS OF THE THREADS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23021](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23021-1995-01-12), registration cancelled 1995-01-12, S/N 47083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222
- Registry model: [Bell 222](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222) (registry code 1182122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47083
- Airframe hours: 720
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-650C3 620 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Executive Airlink
- Registered owner: Executive Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Airport: IAH, Houston Intercont.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,511 total, 450 in this make and model, 205 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 3 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19830111002499I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830111002499I), Jan 11, 1983: Bell 222, Houston, TX. Developed rotor control vibrations. Found walking beam fractured at the drive line attach bolt hole.

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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