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NTSB Report
June 20, 1985 · Bell 214B-1 · N214RM
Squaw Valley, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 20, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Squaw Valley, CA
Aircraft
Bell 214B-1
Tail Number
N214RM
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85FA286
THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGAGED IN LOWERING A LARGE POLE TO THE GROUND WHEN THE ENG FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY DUE TO A TOTAL FIRST TURBINE ROTOR DISC FAILURE. THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT DOWN THE MOUNTAIN BUT WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO AUTOROTATE. THE ACFT IMPACTED AT AN ANGLE AND BURNED. NO PARTS OF THE FIRST TURBINE ROTOR DISC WERE RECOVERED, THEREFORE, A FAILURE MODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE DISC HAD ACCUMULATED 2776 CYCLES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 5508-0002 REPORTS THE SERVICE LIFE LIMIT FOR THE DISC IS 2700 CYCLES. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE ENG THAT COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ITS FAILURE OTHER THAN THE FIRST TURBINE ROTOR DISC DISINTEGRATION.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGAGED IN LOWERING A LARGE POLE TO THE GROUND WHEN THE ENG FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY DUE TO A TOTAL FIRST TURBINE ROTOR DISC FAILURE. THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT DOWN THE MOUNTAIN BUT WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH SPEED TO AUTOROTATE. THE ACFT IMPACTED AT AN ANGLE AND BURNED. NO PARTS OF THE FIRST TURBINE ROTOR DISC WERE RECOVERED, THEREFORE, A FAILURE MODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE DISC HAD ACCUMULATED 2776 CYCLES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. LYCOMING SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 5508-0002 REPORTS THE SERVICE LIFE LIMIT FOR THE DISC IS 2700 CYCLES. AN ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE ENG THAT COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ITS FAILURE OTHER THAN THE FIRST TURBINE ROTOR DISC DISINTEGRATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftBell 214B-1
Tail NumberN214RM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T5508D · Turboshaft · 2050
Seats14
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 7 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC