# NTSB MIA96LA144: Bell UH1B, N3880A, West Palm Beach, FL, May 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1996, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: West Palm Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.720869, -80.070999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7209&lon=-80.0710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38022/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA144 ## Probable cause the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - rotorcraft flight control,tail rotor cable - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - In flight collision with object, landing - object - tree(s) - Roll over, landing ## Analysis While refueling the helicopter the pilot and his crew saw smoke coming from the 'hell hole' on the bottom of the helicopter. They could not determine where the smoke was coming from, so the pilot elected to reposition the helicopter away from the fuel pad. After lift-off, there was a 'loud pop' and the helicopter immediately started rotating to the right. In an effort to avoid striking the fuel tank the pilot added power, and the wind carried the helicopter across the top of the tank. The spinning rotation increased, and after crossing the fuel tank the pilot reduced power. As the helicopter started to come around and get closer to the ground, it went backwards and struck a tree. After impact with the ground the helicopter rolled on its left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail rotor cable retaining pin came loose, and had rubbed against the tail rotor shaft, subsequently causing the drive shaft to fail. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1996, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Bell UH1B, helicopter, N3880A, registered to Colony Services Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 137, aerial application flight, crashed in the vicinity of West Palm Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The pilot stated, that while refueling the helicopter he and his crew saw smoke coming from the "hell hole" on the bottom of the helicopter. They could not determine where the smoke was coming from, so the pilot elected to reposition the helicopter away from the fuel pad. After lift off, there was a "loud pop" and the helicopter immediately started rotating to the right. In an effort to avoid striking the fuel tank the pilot added power, and the wind carried the helicopter across the top of the tank. The spinning rotation increased, and after crossing the fuel tank the pilot reduced power. As the helicopter started to come around, and get closer to the ground, it went backwards and struck a tree. After impact with the ground the helicopter rolled on its left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail rotor, cable retaining pin, came loose, and had rubbed against the tail rotor shaft, subsequently causing the drive shaft to fail. ## Aircraft - Registration: N3880A (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bell UH1B - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 64-14073 - Airframe hours: 5307 - Engines: Lycoming T53L-11D 1100 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Colony Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1996 - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,500 total, 4,800 in this make and model, 145 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19960531020249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960531020249A), May 31, 1996: Bell UH1B, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. During refueling smoke under uhib elected to reposition. Loud pop and spin tail rotor pin came out. Failed shaft. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.