# NTSB FTW84FA287: Bell 212, N2180J, Galveston, TX, June 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1984, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Galveston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.299213, -94.790077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2992&lon=-94.7901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21128
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21128/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA287

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,fuel control - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,fuel control - leak (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel control - output low (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, descent - emergency

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 212
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 31207
- Airframe hours: 1177
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 31; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840625034949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840625034949A), Jun 25, 1984: Bell 212, Galveston, TX, Substantial damage. Lost partial power, hard landing. Safety wired screw loose on regulator air diaphragm of main fuel control unit.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.