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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 11, 1985 · Bell UH-1B · N99676

Juneau, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Juneau, AK
Aircraft
Bell UH-1B
Tail Number
N99676
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA85FA134

WHILE ENGAGED IN A LOG SLINGING OPERATION OVER MOUNTAINOUS, DENSELY FORESTED TERRAIN THE ROTOR CRAFT SUFFERED A TOTAL POWER LOSS FORCING THE PILOT TO EXECUTE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING INTO HIGH CONIFER TREES. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE SPACER BETWEEN THE NO. 5 COMPRESSOR AND THE IMPELLER HAD NOT BEEN POSITION SEATED DURING THE LAST OVERHAUL AND THAT DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT THE SPACER SLIPPED INTO ITS PROPER POSITION THUS RELEASING THE COMPRESSIVE TORQUE LOAD UNDER WHICH THE ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN SUFJECTED DURING BUILDIP. THE COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME UNCOUPLED FORCING THE IMPELLER FORWARD INTO ITS MAGNESIUM HOUSING. THIS ACTION RESULTED IN AN OVERTEMPERATURE CONDITION AND BREAKUP WITHIN THE TURBINE ASSEMBLY BROUGHT ON BY THE COMBUSTION OF MAGNESIUM PARTICLES.

Full Narrative

WHILE ENGAGED IN A LOG SLINGING OPERATION OVER MOUNTAINOUS, DENSELY FORESTED TERRAIN THE ROTOR CRAFT SUFFERED A TOTAL POWER LOSS FORCING THE PILOT TO EXECUTE AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING INTO HIGH CONIFER TREES. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE SPACER BETWEEN THE NO. 5 COMPRESSOR AND THE IMPELLER HAD NOT BEEN POSITION SEATED DURING THE LAST OVERHAUL AND THAT DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT THE SPACER SLIPPED INTO ITS PROPER POSITION THUS RELEASING THE COMPRESSIVE TORQUE LOAD UNDER WHICH THE ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN SUFJECTED DURING BUILDIP. THE COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME UNCOUPLED FORCING THE IMPELLER FORWARD INTO ITS MAGNESIUM HOUSING. THIS ACTION RESULTED IN AN OVERTEMPERATURE CONDITION AND BREAKUP WITHIN THE TURBINE ASSEMBLY BROUGHT ON BY THE COMBUSTION OF MAGNESIUM PARTICLES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell UH-1B
Tail NumberN99676
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T53-L-11 · Turboshaft · 1250
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 14 kt
Visibility14 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data