# NTSB FTW85FA100: Bell 206L-1, N2762X, Lafayette, LA, January 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1985, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, LA
- Coordinates: 30.239202, -91.989501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2392&lon=-91.9895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA100

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - penetrated
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED AT 2040 CST AS A FLT OF 2 ON A FERRY FLT. SHORTLY AFTER LEVEL-OFF AT 700 FT AND POWER STABILIZED AT 72% TORQUE THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE ACFT YAWED LEFT AND RIGHT. AN AUTORATION WAS INITIATED INTO A SOFT PLOWED FIELD WITH A SLIGHT DOWN-SLOPE. UPON TOUCHDOWN, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE NOSE ROCKED FORWARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRUCK AND SEVERED THE TAILBOOM AT THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY REVEALED FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 2 BEARING FOR UNKNOWN SPECIFIC CAUSE. BEARING FAILURE ALLOWED THE COMPRESSOR IMPELLER TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE COMPRESSOR SHROUD HOUSING INNER DIAMETER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2762X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2762X-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 45345 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45345
- Airframe hours: 2241
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C288 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: H. C. I. Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1984, 77 hours before
- Departed: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Destination: BTR, BATON ROUGE, LA
- Airport: LFT, Lafayette Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,478 total, 75 in this make and model, 2,448 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 3 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 19850122001309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850122001309A), Jan 22, 1985: Bell 206L1, Lafayette, LA, Substantial damage. Nunber 2 compressor bearing failed. Led to power failure. Crash occurred during autorotation landing.

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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