# NTSB FTW89IA011: Bell 206 L-1, N2092U, Brownsville, TX, October 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1988, 14:47 local (20:47 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, TX
- Coordinates: 26.469469, -97.779869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.4695&lon=-97.7799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22793
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89IA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22793/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89IA011

## Probable cause

UNCONTAINED ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE THERMAL FATIGUE OF THE FIRST STAGE TRUBINE WHEEL.

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - turboshaft engine,free(power) turbine - fatigue (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,free(power) turbine - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE DUE TO THE UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. THE FIRST STAGE TURBINE WHEEL FAILED AS A RESULT OF THERMAL FATIGUE. A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS MADE TO A TAXIWAY WITH NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2092U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206 L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45697
- Airframe hours: 3728
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Silver Star Aviation
- Registered owner: Silver Star Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 30, 1988, 1 hours before
- Destination: BRO
- Airport: BRO, Brownsville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRO

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19881030048599I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881030048599I), Oct 30, 1988: Bell 206L1, Brownsville, TX, Minor damage. First stage turbine wheel failed on sightseeing flight. Autorotated onto a taxiway safely.

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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