# NTSB FTW85LA315: Bell 206B, N22952, Damon, TX, August 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1985, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Damon, TX
- Coordinates: 29.270833, -95.720367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2708&lon=-95.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA315

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,other - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN ENG DECELERATION TO FLT IDLE WHILE CRUISING 1000 MSL. HE AUTOROTATED INTO TREES IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA. A SUBSEQUENT ENG DISASSEMBLY AND EXAMINATION REVEALED THE PWR CONTROL LINE, P/N 6848471-B, WAS BROKEN AT ITS ATTACHING 'B' NUT SLEEVE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENG TO DECELERATE TO FLT IDLE FROM A CRUISE PWR SETTING. FURTHER DISASSEMBLY REVEALED NO OTHER PROBLEM WHICH COULD CAUSE THIS TO OCCUR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22952](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22952-2003-12-15), registration cancelled 2003-12-15, S/N 3592, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3592
- Airframe hours: 754
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20J 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Evergreen Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Evergreen Equity, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1985, 64 hours before
- Departed: AAP, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: XS10, MATAGORDA IS., TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,939 total, 6,939 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- 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 19850809040609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850809040609A), Aug 9, 1985: Bell 206B, Damon, TX, Destroyed. Engine lost power, autorotated into trees. Power control line p/n 6848471B was broken.

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.