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NTSB Report
December 20, 1989 · Bell TH-1 · N106SR
Creola, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Creola, AL
Aircraft
Bell TH-1
Tail Number
N106SR
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL90LA042
THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE PILOT WAS HOVERING AT 110 FT DURING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION. THE PILOT RELEASED THE LOAD AND AUTOROTATED INTO A SWAMPY AREA. ENGINE TEARDOWN SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SEIZURE AND HEAVY WEAR AT THE #21 BEARING ASSEMBLY ROLLER/SHAFT INTERFACE. METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED A BREAKDOWN OF THE TUNGSTEN CARBIDE AND COBALT COATING REPAIR. THE DETONATION GUN (DGUN) REPAIR BUILDUP ON THE BEARING/SEAL JOURNAL, SEO T53-LO-R0035, WAS USED IN 1969, AND CANCELED IN 1970. THE PROCEDURE WAS NOT APPROVED OR PRACTICED BY LYCOMING, AND THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT PARTS REPAIRED IAW THE SEO NOT BE INSTALLED IN ENGINES. THE PILOT WAS OPERATING WITHIN THE 'AVOID OPERATION' AREA OF THE AIRSPEED VELOCITY CHART.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A #21 BEARING FAILURE. THE BEARING FAILED AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT OPERATING THE HELICOPTER WITHIN THE AVOID OPERATING ENVELOPE.
Full Narrative
THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE PILOT WAS HOVERING AT 110 FT DURING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATION. THE PILOT RELEASED THE LOAD AND AUTOROTATED INTO A SWAMPY AREA. ENGINE TEARDOWN SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SEIZURE AND HEAVY WEAR AT THE #21 BEARING ASSEMBLY ROLLER/SHAFT INTERFACE. METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED A BREAKDOWN OF THE TUNGSTEN CARBIDE AND COBALT COATING REPAIR. THE DETONATION GUN (DGUN) REPAIR BUILDUP ON THE BEARING/SEAL JOURNAL, SEO T53-LO-R0035, WAS USED IN 1969, AND CANCELED IN 1970. THE PROCEDURE WAS NOT APPROVED OR PRACTICED BY LYCOMING, AND THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT PARTS REPAIRED IAW THE SEO NOT BE INSTALLED IN ENGINES. THE PILOT WAS OPERATING WITHIN THE 'AVOID OPERATION' AREA OF THE AIRSPEED VELOCITY CHART.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:20 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell TH-1
Tail NumberN106SR
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T53-L13B · Turboshaft · 1100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO