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NTSB Report
March 22, 1989 · Bell 206B · N5004F
Atlanta, GA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 22, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Atlanta, GA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N5004F
Operator
Dooley Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89FA112
DRG TAKEOFF FROM A HELIPAD AT DUSK, THE ENG LOST PWR AS THE HELICOPTER WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 75' AGL. THE PLT INITIATEDAN AUTOROTATION TO A PARKING LOT, WHICH REQUIRED THE USE OF COLLECTIVE TO REACH THE LOT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER HIT AN ELECTRICAL WIRE OVER THE PARKING LOT, THEN CRASHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE TURBINE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. ALUMINUM RICH METAL DEBRIS WAS FOUND BLOCKING THE OIL DELIVERY TUBE TO THE GEARSHAFT; THE OIL INLET SCREEN FILTER WAS MISSING; AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING & EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE GEARSHAFT SPLINES. THE 100 HR INSPN CHECKLIST FOR THE ENG REQUIRED THE REMOVAL & INSPN OF THE ENG OIL SYS FILTER. WITH THE FILTER REMOVED, THERE WAS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT OIL DELIVERY TUBE & THE OIL TUBE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY CUP FILTER.
NTSB Probable Cause
FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT IN AN AREA WHERE THERE WAS A LACK OF LUBRICATION (OIL STARVATION) DUE TO A PARTIALLY BLOCKED OIL DELIVERY TUBE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: INATTENTIVE MAINTENANCE OR SERVICING OF THE AIRCRAFT BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK, AND THE ELECTRICAL (TRANSMISSION) WIRE.
Full Narrative
DRG TAKEOFF FROM A HELIPAD AT DUSK, THE ENG LOST PWR AS THE HELICOPTER WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 75' AGL. THE PLT INITIATEDAN AUTOROTATION TO A PARKING LOT, WHICH REQUIRED THE USE OF COLLECTIVE TO REACH THE LOT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER HIT AN ELECTRICAL WIRE OVER THE PARKING LOT, THEN CRASHED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE TURBINE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. ALUMINUM RICH METAL DEBRIS WAS FOUND BLOCKING THE OIL DELIVERY TUBE TO THE GEARSHAFT; THE OIL INLET SCREEN FILTER WAS MISSING; AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING & EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE GEARSHAFT SPLINES. THE 100 HR INSPN CHECKLIST FOR THE ENG REQUIRED THE REMOVAL & INSPN OF THE ENG OIL SYS FILTER. WITH THE FILTER REMOVED, THERE WAS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE SPUR ADAPTER GEARSHAFT OIL DELIVERY TUBE & THE OIL TUBE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY CUP FILTER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN5004F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDooley Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind110° @ 9 kt
Visibility11 sm
CeilingOvercast 1400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC