# NTSB LAX88FA330: Bell 206L-1, N2246Q, Santa Barbara, CA, September 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1988, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Santa Barbara, CA
- Coordinates: 34.499599, -120.120475 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4996&lon=-120.1205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA330
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA330

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE #1 TURBINE WHEEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNREPORTED OVER TEMPERATURE CYCLES OF THE ENGINE. ALSO CONTRIBUTING WAS THE UNSUITABILITY OF THE LANDING SURFACE FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE 1/4 INCH STEEL SHEETING.

## 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 - failure,total (cause)
  - turboshaft engine,free(power) turbine - previous damage (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,ramp facilities - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,skid assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THE ENGINE FAILED AT 25-30 FEET AGL DURING FINAL APCH. THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION TO THE ASPHALT SURFACE OF THE HELICOPTER PARKING RAMP. STEEL PLATES WERE PLACED ON THE PARKING SPOTS TO PREVENT RAMP EROSION. THE LEFT FRONT SKID TUBE COLLIDED WITH ONE OF THE STEEL PLATES, FRACTURING THE FRONT CROSS TUBE. THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER PITCHED DOWN AND THE MAIN ROTOR DISC FLEXED, SEVERING THE TAIL BOOM AFT OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NO. 1 TURBINE WHEEL FAILED AS A RESULT OF PREVIOUS CYCLES OF HIGH TEMP (2300 DEG F).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2246Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2246Q-2004-02-10), registration cancelled 2004-02-10, S/N 45752, built 1982 (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-C28 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c28-series) (registry code 03022, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45752
- Airframe hours: 3282
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C-28 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 28, 1988, 484 hours before
- Departed: PLATFORM HONDO, CA
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,485 total, 4,003 in this make and model, 4,196 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19880929069679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880929069679A), Sep 29, 1988: Bell 206L1, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failed on approach. Made autorotation run landing. Hit steel plate on ramp. Turbine failure from overtempts.

## Other investigations on N2246Q (2)

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 FTW97RA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97RA323), Aug 21, 1997: Bell 206L-1 (N2246Q), Arica, Peru, 3 fatal
- [NTSB LAX85LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA092), Jan 3, 1985: Bell 2061-1 (N2246Q), Santa Barbara, CA, 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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