# NTSB FTW86MA018: Bell 222UT, N3194M, East Cameron, October 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1985, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: East Cameron
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 7 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86MA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86MA018

## 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, landing - flare/touchdown
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - fatigue (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible
  - object - airport facility
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THREE PAX RPRTD THAT JUST PRIOR TO REACHING THE HELIPAD, THE HELICOPTER'S FORWARD MOVEMENT STOPPED AND THE HELICOPTER WOBBLED OR YAWED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE PAX'S RPRTED THAT THE PILOT APPEARED TO BE TRYING TO GAIN ALTITUDE AND GO FORWARD WHEN THEY HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE HELICOPTER THEN DROPPED IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE AND CRASHED INTO PRESSURIZED NATURAL GAS COMPONENTS. ESCAPING GAS IGNITED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INTENSE FIRE. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT TWO BLADES ON THE L ENG'S GAS PRODUCER TURBINE WHEEL HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE AND LODGED AGAINST THE PWR TURBINE NOZZLE VANES. AN INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT PWR TO SUSTAIN FLT WITH THIS FAILURE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THEENGINE HAD LOST POWER AT A CRITICAL POINT DURING THE APCH AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANUEVER THE HELICOPTER ONTO THE HELIPAD. HOWEVER, THE TOE OF THE RIGHT SKID CONTACTED THE TUBULAR FRAME OF A HOTHE RGT SKID CONTACTED THE TUBULAR FRAME OF A HORIZONTAL SAFETY FENCE (AROUND THE HELIPAD). SUBSEQUENTLY, THE FENCE WAS BENT INWARD AND DOWNWARD BY THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3194M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3194M-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 47538, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222UT
- Registry model: [Bell 222U](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222u) (registry code 1182140) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-series) (registry code 41560, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47538
- Airframe hours: 123
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-750 653 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Pumpkin Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 22, 1985, 4 hours before
- Departed: 2LA1, INTRACOASTL CTY, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Block 215 Helipad

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,867 total, 317 in this make and model, 6,154 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Observed at: LCH

## 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 19851024057709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851024057709A), Oct 24, 1985: Bell 222U, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Skid hit helipad fence, blades hit tank valve. Explosion, fire. Engine turbine blades broken. Overgross by 387 lbs.

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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