# NTSB FTW83LA335: Bell 206L-1, N406EH, Cameron, LA, July 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1983, 19:26 local (Jul 14, 1983, 00:26 UTC)
- Place: Cameron, LA
- Coordinates: 29.789918, -93.290435 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7899&lon=-93.2904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA335
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA335

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER ROCKED AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM DURING AN OFF ARPT FORCED AUTOROTATION LANDING. THIS ACFT HAD A HISTORY OF ENGINE SURGES AND TOT FLUCTUATIONS. CHANGES HAD BEEN MADE TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DURING THIS FLT THE ENGINE QUIT ENTIRELY. THE ENGINE WAS DISASSEMBLED AND REBUILT. NOTHING WAS FOUND TO INDICATE A CAUSE FOR ENGINE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N406EH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45183
- Airframe hours: 3842
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Era Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CAMERON, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,620 total, 160 in this make and model, 3,970 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °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 19830713031419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830713031419A), Jul 13, 1983: Bell 206L1, Cameron, LA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during autorotation when main rotors struck tail boom.

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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