# NTSB FTW85FA032: Bell 206B, N1074G, Lane City, TX, October 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1984, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Lane City, TX
- Coordinates: 29.189819, -95.990081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1898&lon=-95.9901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: AD 82-17-04 (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA032

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - separation (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not followed, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - information unavailable, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - corroded (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE AT 600 FT AGL A BANG WAS HEARD & ACFT EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION. WHEN TURNING TOWARD A FLD TO LAND A SECOND BANG WAS HEARD & VIBRATION CEASED. HOWEVER, AN UNCOMMANDED RT YAW WAS EXPERIENCED & THE NOSE BEGAN TO TUCK UNDER. ACFT CONTACTED TERRAIN DESPITE REMEDIAL ACTION ATTEMPT BY PLT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED TAIL ROTOR ASS'Y SEPARATED FROM ACFT INFLT. LAB EXAM REVEALED GEAR BOX ATTACHMENT STUDS FAILED DUE TO LOW CYCLE FATIGUE. TAIL ROTOR BLADE, S/N TCT-7478, HAD APRX 60% OF PHENOLIC TIP BLOCK MISSING & 3 ALUMINUM RIVETS MISSING FROM TITANIUM SKIN. NO BONDING MATERIAL WAS VISIBLE ON INTERIOR BLADE SKIN. ACFT WAS OPERATED IN A SALT WATER ENVIR. ON 4/17/82, AD 82-17-04 WAS ISSUED REQ INSPECTION OF TAIL ROTOR ASS'Y SPECIFICALLY FOR TIP BLOCK SECURITY, VOID & RETENTION EVERY 7 DAYS. AD REVISED (AD 82-17-04,R1) REQ COMPLIANCE NOT TO EXCEED 25 HR INTERVALS. ON 9/3/84 REVISION 2 REQ INSPECTION REVERTING BACK TO 7 DAY INTERVAL. OPERATOR HAD NOT RECEIVED REVISION 2 & LAST INSPECTION PERFORMED ON 10/4/84 APRX 21 HRS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1074G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1074G-1992-02-05), registration cancelled 1992-02-05, S/N 2865 (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: 2865
- Airframe hours: 3138
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Evergreen Ventures Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 27, 1984, 38 hours before
- Departed: 5RS, WHARTON, TX
- Destination: B-52, MATAGORDA  520, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSX, 31 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 19841030060599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841030060599A), Oct 30, 1984: Bell 206B, Lane City, TX, Destroyed. Loud bang and severe vibration preceded autorotation with nose tuck and yaw. Tail rotor blade separated aircraft.

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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