# NTSB FTW83LA371: Bell 206B, N2268X, Venice, LA, July 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1983, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Venice, LA
- Coordinates: 29.270376, -89.35057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2704&lon=-89.3506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA371
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA371

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED HARD DURING AN AUTOROTATION LANDING. THE PLT SAID HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE ENGINE RPM WITH RPM SWITCH ONTHE COLLECTIVE OR THE MANUAL THROTTLE CONTROL. N2 TENDED TO GO OVER 100 PERCENT. THE PLT NOTIFIED HIS COMPANY AND PLANNED FOR AN AUTOROTATION ON A GRASS STRIP. THE PLT STATED THAT HE ROLLED OFF THROTTLE AT 2100 FT AGL AND 110 KTS. AT ABOUT 10 FT AGL WITH FULL RIGHT PEDAL APPLIED THE ACFT CONTINUED YAWING LEFT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. A HIGH SIDE GOVERNOR FAILURE WAS SUSPECTED BY THE OPERATOR TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE PLTS INABILITY TO CONTROL N2 RPM. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTIONS. THE ACFT WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2268X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2268X), registered now, S/N 3607 (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: 3607
- Airframe hours: 1510
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 23, 1983, 13 hours before
- Departed: SOUTH PASS 62B, GM
- Destination: SOUTH PASS 62A, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 7R1, Venice

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,283 total, 699 in this make and model, 2,039 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830727040639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830727040639A), Jul 27, 1983: Bell 206B3, Venice, LA, Substantial damage. Hard landing during autorotation. Pilot could not control power.

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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