# NTSB MIA86LA004: Bell 206L, N60C, Islamorada, FL, October 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1985, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Islamorada, FL
- Coordinates: 24.919923, -80.629905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.9199&lon=-80.6299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31532
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31532/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA004

## 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, maneuvering
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - miscellaneous - fatigue (cause)
  - bleed air system - failure,total
  - fuel system,fuel control - failure,partial
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT WAS DITCHED IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AFTER LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AFTER RECOVERY FROM THE OCEAN REVEALED THJE PC OR COMPRESSOR PRESSURE AIR LINE HAD FAILED AT A 'B' NUT AT THE COMPRESSOR SCHROLL. WITH THIS LINE FAILED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT OPERATE ABOVE IDLE SPEED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED LINE REVEALED IT FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE LINE BEING MISALIGNED DURING INSTALLATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N60C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206L
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45102
- Airframe hours: 3571
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Tropical Helicopter Airways
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1985, 91 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,799 total, 704 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 70 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 19851005054749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851005054749A), Oct 5, 1985: Bell 206L, Islamorada, FL, Substantial damage. Pc airline failed at attach point to compressor scroll, caused power loss. Ditched in the ocean.

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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