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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 9, 1990 · Bell 206B · N385EH

Kokhanok, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Kokhanok, AK
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N385EH
Operator
Era Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC90LA170

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SPOOL DOWN ON THE TURBINE ENGINE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR SCROLL TO TEE TUBE ASSEMBLY COMPRESSOR END FITTING HAD BROKEN. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PART SHOWED THAT THERE WERE NO MATERIAL IRREGULARITIES, THAT THE TUBE BEND DEVELOPMENT AND LINEAR MEASUREMENTS VARIED FROM THE ENGINEERING DRAWINGS, AND THAT THE TUBE ASSEMBLY FAILED IN A FATIGUE MODE. THE ORIGIN WAS ON THE TUBE O.D. APPROXIMATELY 0.020 INCH BELOW THE 'B' END FLARE RADIUS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE COMPRESSOR END OF THE AIR COMPRESSOR SCROLL TO TEE TUBE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SPOOL DOWN. THE FORCED LANDING IN ENEVEN, UNPREPARED, AND LIGHTLY FORESTED TERRAIN WERE FACTORS.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SPOOL DOWN ON THE TURBINE ENGINE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR SCROLL TO TEE TUBE ASSEMBLY COMPRESSOR END FITTING HAD BROKEN. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PART SHOWED THAT THERE WERE NO MATERIAL IRREGULARITIES, THAT THE TUBE BEND DEVELOPMENT AND LINEAR MEASUREMENTS VARIED FROM THE ENGINEERING DRAWINGS, AND THAT THE TUBE ASSEMBLY FAILED IN A FATIGUE MODE. THE ORIGIN WAS ON THE TUBE O.D. APPROXIMATELY 0.020 INCH BELOW THE 'B' END FLARE RADIUS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN385EH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEra Aviation
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data