- Date
- June 25, 1984, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place
- Galveston, TX
- Injuries
- 1 minor, 9 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N2180JBell 212
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19840625034949A
- Case key
- 21128
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During takeoff, the helicopter lifted off in an 80% power check & the plt began a northerly departure. Before achieving translational lift, the rotor RPM dropped to aprx 85%. The torque meter indicated a split with the #1 eng indicating about 55% & the #2 eng indicating as low as 39%. The low rotor RPM audio & warning light activated & the helicopter began to sink. The plt had insufficient alt to recover RPM. He landed the helicopter in a clear area in a nose high attitude & with forward speed. During the landing, the skids were damaged (spread), the helicopter rocked forward, the radome was damaged & the tail boom was severed. An investigation revealed that the #2 eng, main fuel control, PN3244736-8 had an air leak at the P3-TP-PG regulator air diaphram wjere a retaining screw was loose. The screw had been safety wired & sealed by the manufacturer but would turn slightly within the limits of the wire. When tightened, within the limits, the air leak stopped.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2180J
- Reported as
- Bell 212
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 31207
- Airframe hours
- 1,177
- Engine
- P&W PT6T-3B-TPAC, 645 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 135
- Registered owner
- Pumpkin Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · June 9, 1984 · 37 hours before
- Departed
- Galveston, TX
- Destination
- High Isl 474, GM
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
- Airport
- 9T8 · Penzoil Pad
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 31
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- GLS, 4 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.