Skip to content

NTSB investigations: Lycoming T-53 series

79 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Lycoming T-53 series. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases, newest first

Query with SQL

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41552', '41549', '41587')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41552', '41549', '41587'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41552', '41549', '41587'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB BFO94LA159Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Carrabasset, MEFracture failure of the tail rotor drive intermediate gearbox.Aug 31, 1994 · N204JB · Substantial damage NTSB ATL94LA035Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportKaman HH-43B/F · Mobile, ALAn inadequate major repair by company maintenance personnel who failed to install the cotter pin which secured the retaining nut of the right main rotor hub teeter pin.Dec 29, 1993 · N5197W · Substantial damage NTSB SEA93LA207Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Pierce, IDSeparation of the 90 degree gearbox after fatigue failure of the gearbox attach bolts. Factors include hilly/mountainous terrain.Sep 23, 1993 · N3979C · Substantial damage NTSB ANC93FA056Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 204B · Copper Harbor, AKFatigue failure of the tail rotor gearbox, and improper helicopter operations being conducted by the operator resulting in repetitive at and over maximum loads. Factors in the accident were: material defect of the tail rotor gear box (inadequate quality…May 2, 1993 · N204AQ · Destroyed NTSB ATL93LA075Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH1F · Gatlinburg, TNThe loss of engine power for unknown reasons.Apr 16, 1993 · N4040P · Substantial damage NTSB LAX92T#A16Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportBell 204B · Big Sur, CAAug 12, 1992 · N204CR · Substantial damage NTSB SEA92T#A04Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportBell 205A-1 · Arco, IDAug 3, 1992 · N66HJ · Substantial damage NTSB BFO91DOA01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell UH-1B · Iaeger, WVThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, while operating over unsuitable terrain.Jul 1, 1991 · N91348 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC91LA058Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Dog Fish Bay, AKThe pilot's exceeding the gross weight of the aircraft and inadequate supervision by company management. Contributing to the accident was the high vegetation.May 21, 1991 · N87966 · Destroyed NTSB SEA90TL#03Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportBell UH-1B · Yakima, WAJun 21, 1990 · N99634 · Substantial damage NTSB ATL90FA100Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Moncks Corner, SCThe in-flight separation of the main rotor because of the failure of a pillow block bolt, and the failure of the operator/repair station to follow the overhaul procedures.Apr 20, 1990 · N67HJ · Destroyed NTSB LAX90DUJ05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell UH-1E · Mesa, AZThe inflight separation of the tail rotor due to improper maintenance procedures and the installation of incorrect attachment hardware on the tail rotor blade pitch change linkages.Nov 4, 1989 · N138US · Destroyed NTSB ATL89FA130Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1E · Aiken, SCImproper installation of a tail rotor pitch change crosshead retention bolt by the company mechanic, which resulted in loosening of the bolt and eventual failure of the tail rotor assembly/blade and subsequent loss of control. Trees at the crash site…Apr 17, 1989 · N118HS · Substantial damage NTSB DEN87LA199Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 204B · Dubois, WYThe commercial plt was performing external sling loads in support of seismic operations. The plt reported that the engine failed during a load release and the plt executed an autorotation. This resulted in a hard landing in heavy timber on sloping terrain.…Jul 29, 1987 · N4580Y · Substantial damage NTSB ATL87LA121Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Bay Minette, ALDuring a logging operation, the helicopter experienced a complete engine failure shortly after attempting a pickup. The pilot entered an autorotative glide. The helicopter impacted the water and sank. The wreckage examination disclosed that the compressor…Apr 21, 1987 · N88987 · Destroyed NTSB LAX86DVA06Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell UH-1B · Chowchilla, CAWhile returning from a spraying operation the plt observed that the main transmission oil pressure gage indicated zero. The plt reported that the engine master caution did not illuminate and that the oil temperature gage was normal. The plt stated that he…Apr 16, 1986 · N910PD · Destroyed NTSB FTW85FA310Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Saint James, LAAcft was at a 150' hover preparing to pick up a log when it experienced a power loss. Witnesses stated that they heard a loud 'bang' and the pilot radioed 'get out of the way'. Acft autorotated thru 60' to 80' trees with very low rotor RPM and impacted with…Aug 8, 1985 · N1385W · Destroyed NTSB FTW85FA188Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Boutte, LAThe plt had stabilized acft in a 125' hover, prior to picking up a load, when the eng spooled down and acft entered talltrees with low rotor RPM and pitched nose down as it descended thru the trees. Ground witnesses heard 2 loud 'bangs' prior to the acft…Apr 15, 1985 · N2252A · Destroyed NTSB LAX85FA115Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 205A-1 · Newhall, CAThis helicopter collided with hilly terrain while circling at a low altitude. It was following another helicopter in a clockwise circular pattern at the time, and being filmed for the t.v. series 'air wolf'. One witness observed the helicopter decending in…Jan 18, 1985 · N830V · Destroyed NTSB LAX85LA105Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 204 · Snelling, CAPlt vacated the acft with engine at idle & with the blades turning to refuel. The landing platform mounted on the 'nurse' truck was slippery from an oil & copper mixture used in the spraying operation. The helicopter started to slide & the plt reboarded just…Jan 11, 1985 · N99021 · Substantial damage NTSB MIA84FA166Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Clermont, FLThe plt was not aware that two ground attendants were riding the cable during a logging operation when there was an accidental cable release & the attendants fell to the ground. Examination of the acfts hook did not reveal a system failure or malfunction.…May 10, 1984 · N2252A · No damage NTSB LAX83LA022Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell UH-1B · Delano, CAThe pilot was making a helicopter spray run and decended into trees on th irst pass after reloading. He got a low RPM light in a reduced power situation. No malfunctions were found. The pilot had made 34 similiar operations during this schedule.Oct 28, 1982 · N15FC · Destroyed NTSB LAX82DA264Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 204 · Delano, CAThe acft was spraying for mediterranean fruit flies with another acft. Entering a "scissors" or opposite direction pattern with the second helicopter spraying in the opposite direction, the plt had to slow down in order to begin his swath at the completion of…Jul 18, 1982 · N910PD · Destroyed NTSB DEN80FA060Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell UH-1B · Provo, UTSep 2, 1980 · N99478 · Substantial damage NTSB DEN80FTA21Accident · No injuriesClosedBell UH-1B · Red Lodge, MTSep 1, 1980 · N911CD · Substantial damage NTSB FTW80FA100Accident · 13 fatalClosedBell 205A-1 · Houma, LAAug 6, 1980 · N95AL · Destroyed NTSB SEA78FYE05Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 205A-1 · Castle Rock, WAJan 13, 1978 · N67HJ · Destroyed NTSB FTW76AF087Accident · 12 fatalClosedBell 205-A1 · Gulf Of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico)Apr 23, 1976 · N8167J · Destroyed NTSB MIA75DKG49Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 205A1 · Homerville, GANov 29, 1974 · N59441 · Substantial damage