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NTSB Report
October 7, 1985 · Bell 206L-1 · N515EH
Tomball, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tomball, TX
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N515EH
Operator
Dhl Airways
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW86FA007
ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF A HARD LANDING DURING AN EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION FOLLOWING A COMPLETE POWER LOSS. THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE NO. 1 TURBINE WHEEL. THE WHEEL BURST AS A RESULT OF A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE TURBINE TO COMPRESSOR COUPLING WHICH ALLOWED THE SHAFT TO DECOUPLE. WHEN THE TURBINE SECTION DECOUPLED THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED AN OVERSPEED. THE ORGIN OF THE FATIGUE FRACTURE WAS FOUND IN THE SCALLOP AREA ON THE TURBINE END OF THE SHAFT. THE ENG FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW ALTITUDE ON DEPARTURE AND THE PLT HAD TO MANEUVER THE ACFT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE ONLY AVAILABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.
Full Narrative
ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF A HARD LANDING DURING AN EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION FOLLOWING A COMPLETE POWER LOSS. THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN UNCONTAINED FAILURE OF THE NO. 1 TURBINE WHEEL. THE WHEEL BURST AS A RESULT OF A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE TURBINE TO COMPRESSOR COUPLING WHICH ALLOWED THE SHAFT TO DECOUPLE. WHEN THE TURBINE SECTION DECOUPLED THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED AN OVERSPEED. THE ORGIN OF THE FATIGUE FRACTURE WAS FOUND IN THE SCALLOP AREA ON THE TURBINE END OF THE SHAFT. THE ENG FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW ALTITUDE ON DEPARTURE AND THE PLT HAD TO MANEUVER THE ACFT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE ONLY AVAILABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 CDT
Nearest AirportDavid Wayne Hooks (1nm ESE)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN515EH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDhl Airways
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28B · Turboshaft · 435
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:50
Weather SourceWFAC