# NTSB NYC85FA001: Bell 206L-1, N77AR, Reinholds, PA, October 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1984, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Reinholds, PA
- Location: 40.2709° N, 76.1236° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reinholds, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2709&lon=-76.1236&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35783/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA001

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,partial
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - roll
  - flare - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - run on landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

PLT FELT VIBRATION IN ANTI-TORQUE PEDALS FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF LOUD BANGS COMING FROM THE TAIL SECTION. PLT INITIATED PRECAUTIONARY LANDING DURING WHICH TAIL ROTOR EFFECTIVENESS. DURING THE 'POWER OFF' RUN ON LANDING MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY DISCLOSED THE SECOND TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT SEGMENT FAILED AFTER ONE BOLT FROM THE REAR THOMAS COUPLER DISCONNECTED. EXAMINATION OF THE BOLT HOLES REVEALED THREAD IMPRINTS. THE BOLT AND NUT WERE NOT FOUND

## Aircraft

- Registration: N77AR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45296
- Airframe hours: 1780
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hamilton Aeronautics
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LNS, LANCASTER, PA
- Destination: RDG, READING, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,882 total, 257 in this make and model, 5,264 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNS, 25 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 19841003058989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841003058989A), Oct 3, 1984: Bell 206L1, Reinholds, PA, Substantial damage. Pedal vibrations. Loud bang from tail. Autorotated run on landing. Tail rotor thomas coupler came off. Bolt missing

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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