# NTSB FTW83LA297: Bell 206L-1, N3904L, Lafayette, LA, June 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1983, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, LA
- Location: 30.2050° N, 91.9878° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAFAYETTE RGNL/PAUL FOURNET FLD (LFT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2050&lon=-91.9878&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA297

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - movement restricted (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - penetrated (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER MADE A HARD PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AFTER THE PLT NOTED THE ROTOR RPM AND N2 WOULD BLEED OFF WHEN COLLECTIVE PITCH WAS INCREASED TO 80 PERCENT TORQUE. THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT AND ELECTED TO AUTOROTATE INSTEAD OF LANDING WITH POWER AVAILABLE. THE AUTOROTATION RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING. THE POWER LOSS WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY FAILURE OF THE FULL CONTROL LEVER TO OPEN FULLY. THIS WAS THE RESULT OF A MECHANIC OVERTIGHTING THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WHEN A PLT COMPLAINED OF THROTTLE CREEPING OPEN. THIS CREEPING IS CONSIDERED NORMAL ON A BELL 206L-1 ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3904L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45597
- Airframe hours: 2702
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-28 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 24, 1983, 1 hours before
- Destination: HIGH ISLAND, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: LFT, Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,993 total, 1,274 in this make and model, 2,635 as pilot in command, 121 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT

## 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 19830627027109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830627027109A), Jun 27, 1983: Bell 206L1, Lafayette, LA, Substantial damage. Partial power loss on climbout. Hard autorotation precautionary landing. Mechanic overtightened nut on throttle.

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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