# NTSB MIA87IA141: Bell 222U, N222HX, Oxford, MS, April 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1987, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Oxford, MS
- Coordinates: 34.349617, -89.519363 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3496&lon=-89.5194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87IA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87IA141

## 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, cruise - normal
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,design change - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
  - inadequate certification/approval,aircraft, faa(organization) (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate compliance determination, faa(other/organization) (cause)
  - inadequate surveillance,inadequate procedure, faa(organization)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXECUTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AFTER HEARING A LOUD BANG AND EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF THE NUMBER 1 ENGINE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE POWER TURBINE WHEEL BLADES HAD FAILED, AND THE WHEEL PARTS LOGJAMMED AND PENETRATED THE ENGINE CASE. THE BLADE FRACTURES WERE HIGH CYCLE TRANSGRANULAR FAILURES EMINATING FROM THE TRAILING EDGE OF EACH BLADE ROOT. A REVIEW OF FAA SDR RECORDS REVEALED 87 SIMILAR FAILURES. SIX EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222HX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222HX-2011-02-18), registration cancelled 2011-02-18, S/N 47533, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222U
- Registry model: [Bell 222U](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222u) (registry code 1182140) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-series) (registry code 41560, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47533
- Airframe hours: 842
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-75001 750 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Memphis Medical Center
- Registered owner: Memphis Medical Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 23, 1987, 97 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: OXFORD, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,200 total, 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 60 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).

- [Incident 19870420058369I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870420058369I), Apr 20, 1987: Bell 222U, Oxford, MS, Minor damage. Loud bang followed by number 1 engine failure. Safe landing. Power turbine wheel failed.

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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