# NTSB LAX85LVA04: Bell 204-B, N204RH, East Clovis, CA, August 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1985, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: East Clovis, CA
- Coordinates: 36.810382, -119.71035 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8104&lon=-119.7104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LVA04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LVA04

## 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 - roll
  - compressor assembly - improper (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN FOR A MAINTENANCE CK. WHILE CLIMBING AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL A BANG WAS HEARD AND ENG RPM DECREASED. PLT INITIATED AUTOROTATION AND ATTEMPTED A FLARE AT ABOUT 20 FT AGL. THE TAIL ROTOR HIT AND THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AFTER HITTING ON THE SKIDS WITH THE ENG RPM INCREASING AGAIN. THE ACFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RT ANC CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. AN ENG TEARDOWN SHOWED THE COMPRESSOR AND STATORS HAD ERROSION DAMAGE. THE ACFT HAD JUST HAD MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AND WAS UNDERGOING A FLT TEST POWER CHECK WHEN THE ACC OCCURRED. THE PLT SAID THE ENG 'QUIT' AND HE THOUGH IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A COMPRESSOR STALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N204RH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 204-B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2025
- Airframe hours: 11225
- Engines: LYCOMING T-5313B 1250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91 subpart F
- Registered owner: Rogers Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 13, 1985, 59 hours before
- Airport: Rogers Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,200 total, 1,480 in this make and model, 8,180 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 5 nm away

## 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 19850827045959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850827045959A), Aug 27, 1985: Bell STC204, Clovis, CA, Substantial damage. Loud bang from engine and RPM decreased during vertical assent. Hard landing. Compressor errosion all 4 stages.

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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