# NTSB LAX82DA311: Bell 206B, N83037, Grand Canyon, AZ, August 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1982, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.02993, -112.020881 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0299&lon=-112.0209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70869
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70869/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA311

## 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 - normal
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine shaft - worn (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine shaft - overtemperature (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,gas generator turbine shaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL, THERE WAS AN ABRUPT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT DESCENDED AT 60 TO 70 KTS, THEN MADE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD. DURING THE LANDING, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT, PN 6899196, HAD FAILED AT THE FORWARD SPLINES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS OVER 9000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N83037 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1128
- Airframe hours: 5093
- Engines: ALLISON C20-B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Grand Canyon Helicopters
- Registered owner: Grand Canyon Helicopters
- Departed: GCN, GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Destination: GCN, GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,800 total, 2,560 in this make and model, 5,432 as pilot in command, 216 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 167 °F

## 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 19820822055679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820822055679A), Aug 22, 1982: Bell 206B, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine failed en route. Made hard autorotation landing. Fuel control spur adapter gearshaft forward splines failure

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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