# NTSB MIA89LA024: Bell 206L, N16619, St. Thomas, November 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1988, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Thomas
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA024

## Analysis

THE PLT AUTOROTATED THE HELICOPTER INTO THE WATER AFTER A LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM FWD FLIGHT TO A HOVER. WHILE LANDING WITH THE EMERGENCY FLOATS ARMED, HE ATTEMPTED TO DEPLOY THE FLOATS BUT WAS UNABLE. THE PLT & PAX EVACUATED. THE HELICOPTER SANK. EXAMINATION REVEALED THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR ACTIVATION OF THE DISCHARGE AGENT SEPARATED ON IMPACT, RENDERING THE FLOAT DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM INOPERABLE. THE COMPRESSOR SECTION OF THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A CONTAINED FAILURE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FOREIGN OBJECT INGESTION, FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF NO'S 1,2, OR 2.5 BEARINGS, RUBBING OF THE ROTOR BLADES AGAINST THE COMPRESSOR CASE, OR AXIAL MOVEMENT OF THE ROTOR ASSY. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EVENT RESULTING IN THE FAILURE OF THE COMPRESSOR SECTION. THE OPERATOR STATED THAT COMPANY PERSONNEL WERE NOT ACCOMPLISHING THE SALT WATER CONTAMINATION REMOVAL PROCEDURE RECOMMENDED BY THE ENG MANUFACTURER.

## 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, maneuvering
  - compressor assembly,rotor disc - disintegrated (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - not performed, company maintenance personnel
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency equipment - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - misc rotorcraft,emergency floatation gear - disabled (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16619](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16619-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 45087, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L
- Registry model: [Bell 206L](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l) (registry code 1181522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45087
- Airframe hours: 3980
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Air Center Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dorothy S Coughlin Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1988, 115 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,725 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 6,615 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STT, 9 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 19881110050509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881110050509A), Nov 10, 1988: Bell 206L, St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Substantial damage. Engine failed on a photography flight while slowing to hover at 20 feet over water. No time for floats. Rolled over

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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