# NTSB NYC86FA183: Bell B-222A, N404WW, Staten Island, NY, July 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1986, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Staten Island, NY
- Location: 40.5834° N, 74.1496° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Staten Island, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5834&lon=-74.1496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30195/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Explosion, cruise
  - turboshaft engine - failure,partial (cause)
  - wrong engine shutdown - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - normal
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - failure,total (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - procedures/directives - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER, ON A FAR 135 FLIGHT WAS IN CRUISE FLT AT 900 FT. THE PLT WAS CHECKING FOR CALLED VFR TRAFFIC AND THE CO-PILOT WAS OCCUPPIED WITH THE RNAV WHEN A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND A SUDDEN YAW WAS FELT. BOTH CREW MEMBERS STATED THEY REACTED AS INSTRUCTED AND IN THE PROCESS ANOTHER ENGINE FAILED. A WATER DITCHING WAS UNAVOIDABLE. INSPECTIONFAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE #1 ENG. THE #2 ENG HAD A POWER TURBINE BLADE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N404WW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N404WW-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 47045, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL B-222A
- Registry model: [Bell 222](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222) (registry code 1182122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-series) (registry code 41560, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47045
- Airframe hours: 1245
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-650C3 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Damin Aivation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1986, 67 hours before
- Departed: NEW YORK, NY
- Destination: PRINCETON, NJ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,260 total, 450 in this make and model, 3,935 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860717044309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860717044309A), Jul 17, 1986: Bell 222, Staten Island, NY, Substantial damage. Loud bang and yaw at cruise. Then other engine failed. Ditched in bay. Power turbine failure NR2, no defects NR1.

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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