# NTSB NYC79FA056: Bell 206B, N1443W, Philadelphia, PA, July 14, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 14, 1979
- Place: Philadelphia, PA · PHILADELPHIA, PA
- Location: 39.9523° N, 75.1638° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Philadelphia, PA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9523&lon=-75.1638&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134862
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC79FA056
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FA056

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3424  79/7/14    PHILADELPHIA,PA     BELL 206B           CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 6967
        TIME - 0956                    N1443W              PX-  2  0  0  MAPPING/PHOTO             TOTAL HOURS, 767 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PHILADELPHIA,PA             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: MAIN ROTOR                      IN FLIGHT: HOVERING
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           ROTORCRAFT - TRANSMISSION ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM: ENGINE DRIVE SHAFT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LACK OF LUBRICATION-SPECIFIC PART,NOT SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERHEATED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- MAIN DRIVE SHAFT COUPLING(PN 206 040-108-005)FAILED.LUBRICANT LOST FOR UNKN RSN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1443W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1443W-1984-04-17), registration cancelled 1984-04-17, S/N 372 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790714039919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790714039919A), Jul 14, 1979: Bell 206B, Philadelphia, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Main drive shaft coupling failed while helicopter was in hover at low altitude. Aircraft impacted water vertically.

## Other investigations on N1443W (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 NYC70FHD30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC70FHD30), May 21, 1970: Bell 206A (N1443W), Pennsauken, NJ, 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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