# NTSB LAX83LA117: Bell BH 206-L111, N3898Y, Peach Springs, AZ, February 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1983, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Peach Springs, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.640628, -113.610572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6406&lon=-113.6106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA117

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft bearing - undertorqued (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
- Roll over, maneuvering

## Analysis

AFTER THE ROTORCRAFT TOOK OFF TO A HOVER THE PILOT DID A PEDAL TURN FOR A DOWN CANYON DEPARTURE. AFTER THE HOVER TURN THE PILOT SLID TO THE RIGHT TO CLEAR SOME OBSTACLES AND WHEN THE ROTORCRAFT MOVED LATERALLY ABOUT 25 FEET THE PILOT HEARD A BANG. THE LEFT PEDAL WAS SLACKED AND THE ROTORCRAFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IT CAME TO REST 10 DEGREES NOSE DOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR SHAFT ASSEMBLY FAILED BETWEEN NUMBER 3 AND 4 HANGER BEARINGS. THE NUTS THAT HOLD EACH ASSEMBLY TOGETHER WERE MISSING. THE BOLTS WERE NOT SHEARED. ONE WAS FOUND IN THE ROCKS BELOW THE TAIL ROTOR. THE OTHER WAS STILL IN PLACE. NO NUTS WERE FOUND AT THE CRASH SCENE. THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED BLUE DOTS WERE MISSING WHEN THE NEW NUTS WERE REPLACED BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3898Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3898Y-2002-08-28), registration cancelled 2002-08-28, S/N 51024, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL BH 206-L111 (BH 206-L11)
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51024
- Airframe hours: 335
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Energy Fuels Nuclear, Inc.
- Registered owner: The Helicopter Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 10, 1983, 37 hours before
- Departed: SAVANIC MINE, AZ
- Destination: CUNNINGHAM MINE, AZ
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,187 total, 256 in this make and model, 4,901 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °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 19830224005439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830224005439A), Feb 24, 1983: Bell 206L3, Peach Springs, AZ, Substantial damage. Tail rotor shaft assembly failure occurred in hover after liftoff. Helicopter hit in an uncontrollable right turn.

## Other investigations on N3898Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN85LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA053), Dec 31, 1984: Bell 206-L3 (N3898Y), Jackson, WY, substantial damage

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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