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NTSB Report
August 1, 1985 · Bell 206 B3 · N90328
Arroyo Grande, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Arroyo Grande, CA
Aircraft
Bell 206 B3
Tail Number
N90328
Operator
Western Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA336
WHILE HOVERING AND SLINGING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OVER ROUGH TERRAIN THE ENG CHIP LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PLT IMMEDIATELY POSITIONED THE ACFT TO RELEASE THE LOAD AND THE ENG BEGAN MAKING A 'WHINING' NOISE. SEVERAL SECONDS LATER ALL ENG POWER WAS LOST. THE PLT AUTOROTATED TO A FIRM LANDING AND UPON TOUCHDOWN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. EXAM OF THE ENG'S TURBINE COMPONENTS REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF A 'SLUDGE' MATERIAL IN THE SCAVENGE OIL LINE FROM THE NO. 8 BEARING AND ALSO THE PRESENCE OF A HEAVY BUILD UP OF CARBON ON THE ENGINE ROTOR 'PEASHOOTER' DRIVE SHAFT. THE ACCUMULATED MATERIAL CAUSED SHAFT RUB AND FAILURE OF THE POWER TURBINE'S INNER SHAFT. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT AN EARLY INSPECTION OF THE N1/N2 DRIVE SHAFT AREA COULD HAVE DETECTED THE PROBLEM AND PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
WHILE HOVERING AND SLINGING AN EXTERNAL LOAD OVER ROUGH TERRAIN THE ENG CHIP LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PLT IMMEDIATELY POSITIONED THE ACFT TO RELEASE THE LOAD AND THE ENG BEGAN MAKING A 'WHINING' NOISE. SEVERAL SECONDS LATER ALL ENG POWER WAS LOST. THE PLT AUTOROTATED TO A FIRM LANDING AND UPON TOUCHDOWN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. EXAM OF THE ENG'S TURBINE COMPONENTS REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF A 'SLUDGE' MATERIAL IN THE SCAVENGE OIL LINE FROM THE NO. 8 BEARING AND ALSO THE PRESENCE OF A HEAVY BUILD UP OF CARBON ON THE ENGINE ROTOR 'PEASHOOTER' DRIVE SHAFT. THE ACCUMULATED MATERIAL CAUSED SHAFT RUB AND FAILURE OF THE POWER TURBINE'S INNER SHAFT. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT AN EARLY INSPECTION OF THE N1/N2 DRIVE SHAFT AREA COULD HAVE DETECTED THE PROBLEM AND PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206 B3
Tail NumberN90328
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWestern Helicopters
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250 SER 400HP · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO