# NTSB FTW85FA310: Bell UH-1B, N1385W, Saint James, LA, August 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1985, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Saint James, LA
- Coordinates: 29.977006, -90.82892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9770&lon=-90.8289&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21567/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA310

## 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, hover
  - compressor assembly,blade - failure,total (cause)
  - compressor assembly,blade - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - rotor rpm - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS AT A 150' HOVER PREPARING TO PICK UP A LOG WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HEARD A LOUD 'BANG' AND THE PILOT RADIOED 'GET OUT OF THE WAY'. ACFT AUTOROTATED THRU 60' TO 80' TREES WITH VERY LOW ROTOR RPM AND IMPACTED WITH NO HORZ SPEED AND HIGH VERTICAL SPEED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ENG HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE INTERNAL DAMAGE. FOUR COMPRESSOR BLADES FROM THE 4TH STAGE ROTOR WERE FOUND TO HAVE SUFFERED PROGRESSIVE FATIGUE FAILURE, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE REMAINDER OF THE BLADES ON THE 4TH AND 5TH STAGES TO SEPARATE LEADING TO AN ENG SURGE AND LOSS OF POWER. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A FLT REGIME FROM WHICH THE PLT COULD NOT AFFECT A RECOVERY FROM THE ENG FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1385W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1385W-2013-07-15), registration cancelled 2013-07-15, S/N 2072, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1B
- Registry model: [Bell UH-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-uh-1b) (registry code 1181410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41552, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 62-2072
- Airframe hours: 5763
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-11D 1000 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 133
- Operator: Skyline Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 6, 1985, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 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 19850808037719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850808037719A), Aug 8, 1985: Bell UH1B, St James, LA, Destroyed. Engine failed in hover, aircraft impacted ground. Fatigue failure of compressor led to failure of turbine section.

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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