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NTSB Report
August 27, 1985 · Bell 204-B · N204RH
East Clovis, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
East Clovis, CA
Aircraft
Bell 204-B
Tail Number
N204RH
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LVA04
THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN FOR A MAINTENANCE CK. WHILE CLIMBING AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL A BANG WAS HEARD AND ENG RPM DECREASED. PLT INITIATED AUTOROTATION AND ATTEMPTED A FLARE AT ABOUT 20 FT AGL. THE TAIL ROTOR HIT AND THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AFTER HITTING ON THE SKIDS WITH THE ENG RPM INCREASING AGAIN. THE ACFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RT ANC CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. AN ENG TEARDOWN SHOWED THE COMPRESSOR AND STATORS HAD ERROSION DAMAGE. THE ACFT HAD JUST HAD MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AND WAS UNDERGOING A FLT TEST POWER CHECK WHEN THE ACC OCCURRED. THE PLT SAID THE ENG 'QUIT' AND HE THOUGH IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A COMPRESSOR STALL.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS BEING FLOWN FOR A MAINTENANCE CK. WHILE CLIMBING AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL A BANG WAS HEARD AND ENG RPM DECREASED. PLT INITIATED AUTOROTATION AND ATTEMPTED A FLARE AT ABOUT 20 FT AGL. THE TAIL ROTOR HIT AND THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AFTER HITTING ON THE SKIDS WITH THE ENG RPM INCREASING AGAIN. THE ACFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RT ANC CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. AN ENG TEARDOWN SHOWED THE COMPRESSOR AND STATORS HAD ERROSION DAMAGE. THE ACFT HAD JUST HAD MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AND WAS UNDERGOING A FLT TEST POWER CHECK WHEN THE ACC OCCURRED. THE PLT SAID THE ENG 'QUIT' AND HE THOUGH IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A COMPRESSOR STALL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 PDT
Nearest AirportRogers Heliport (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 204-B
Tail NumberN204RH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsLycoming · T-5313B · Turboshaft · 1250
Seats9
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC