# NTSB MIA89IA186: Bell 206L-1, N2137U, Chiefland, FL, July 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1989, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Chiefland, FL
- Coordinates: 29.470191, -82.860443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4702&lon=-82.8604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89IA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89IA186

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FIRST STAGE TURBINE WHEEL DISK.

## 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
  - turbine assembly,turbine wheel - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS NEARING THE DESIGNATED PICK-UP AREA AT ABOUT 300 FT & WAS ON FINAL APRCH, WHEN A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENG SECTION. THE PILOT MADE AN AUTOROTATION INTO A FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE TURBINE SECTION REVEALED THAT IT WAS 'LOCKED UP.'  DISASSEMBLY OF THE TURBINE MODULE REVEALED THAT A PIECE OF THE FIRST STAGE TURBINE WHEEL DISK HAD SEPARATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2137U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2137U-1989-12-20), registration cancelled 1989-12-20, S/N 45727 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45727
- Airframe hours: 6191
- Engines: ALLISON C28B-250 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Kenn Aire Medical Corp.
- Registered owner: Kenn Air Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1989, 7 hours before
- Departed: 63FL, GAINESVILLE, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 10,966 total, 2,291 in this make and model, 8,763 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 52 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 19890706039149I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890706039149I), Jul 6, 1989: Bell 206L1. Engine failure during landing operations. Emergency auto rotation landing. Had turbine failure.

## Other investigations on N2137U (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 DEN81FTE02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FTE02-123294), Oct 6, 1981: Bell 206L (N2137U), Grand Junction, CO, 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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