# NTSB FTW90LA096: Bell 206L-1, N1071A, E. Island Blk15, April 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1990, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: E. Island Blk15
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA096

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF CONTINUITY IN THE COMPRESSOR SECTION OF THE ENGINE DUE TO A FATIQUE FAILURE OF THE SPUR ADAPTER GEAR SHAFT.

## 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
  - single engine aircraft
  - compressor assembly - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - descent - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A FLIGHT OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO, THE HELICOPTER HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE FLOATS. THE LANDING WAS HARD ENOUGH FOR ONE OF THE PASSENGERS TO RECEIVE SERIOUS INJURIES. SOMETIME AFTER THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER IN THE GLASSY, SMOOTH, WATER. TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE SPUR ADAPTER GEAR SHAFT HAD LOST ITS HARDNESS, AND THAT EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE WAS PRESENT IN THE CAMPONENTS. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHAT THE CYCLIC VALUE OF THE FATIGUE CRACKS WERE, HOWEVER, THE POINT OF ORIGIN WAS DETERMINED TO BE A RUBBED AREA ON THE SPUR ADAPTER GEAR SHAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1071A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1071A-2009-10-21), registration cancelled 2009-10-21, S/N 45340, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45340
- Airframe hours: 4070
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Houston Helicopter Inc.
- Registered owner: Notlef, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 14, 1990, 10 hours before
- Departed: GI82, GRAND ISLAND 82, GM
- Destination: 1R5, CAMERON, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 14,500 total, 1,748 in this make and model, 11,180 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900417009499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900417009499A), Apr 17, 1990: Bell 206L, Eugene Island, LA. Lost power,made hard water 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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