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February 24, 1983 · Bell BH 206-L111 BH 206-L11 · N3898Y

Peach Springs, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 24, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Peach Springs, AZ
Aircraft
Bell BH 206-L111 BH 206-L11
Tail Number
N3898Y
Operator
Energy Fuels Nuclear
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83LA117

AFTER THE ROTORCRAFT TOOK OFF TO A HOVER THE PILOT DID A PEDAL TURN FOR A DOWN CANYON DEPARTURE. AFTER THE HOVER TURN THE PILOT SLID TO THE RIGHT TO CLEAR SOME OBSTACLES AND WHEN THE ROTORCRAFT MOVED LATERALLY ABOUT 25 FEET THE PILOT HEARD A BANG. THE LEFT PEDAL WAS SLACKED AND THE ROTORCRAFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IT CAME TO REST 10 DEGREES NOSE DOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR SHAFT ASSEMBLY FAILED BETWEEN NUMBER 3 AND 4 HANGER BEARINGS. THE NUTS THAT HOLD EACH ASSEMBLY TOGETHER WERE MISSING. THE BOLTS WERE NOT SHEARED. ONE WAS FOUND IN THE ROCKS BELOW THE TAIL ROTOR. THE OTHER WAS STILL IN PLACE. NO NUTS WERE FOUND AT THE CRASH SCENE. THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED BLUE DOTS WERE MISSING WHEN THE NEW NUTS WERE REPLACED BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

Full Narrative

AFTER THE ROTORCRAFT TOOK OFF TO A HOVER THE PILOT DID A PEDAL TURN FOR A DOWN CANYON DEPARTURE. AFTER THE HOVER TURN THE PILOT SLID TO THE RIGHT TO CLEAR SOME OBSTACLES AND WHEN THE ROTORCRAFT MOVED LATERALLY ABOUT 25 FEET THE PILOT HEARD A BANG. THE LEFT PEDAL WAS SLACKED AND THE ROTORCRAFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IT CAME TO REST 10 DEGREES NOSE DOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL ROTOR SHAFT ASSEMBLY FAILED BETWEEN NUMBER 3 AND 4 HANGER BEARINGS. THE NUTS THAT HOLD EACH ASSEMBLY TOGETHER WERE MISSING. THE BOLTS WERE NOT SHEARED. ONE WAS FOUND IN THE ROCKS BELOW THE TAIL ROTOR. THE OTHER WAS STILL IN PLACE. NO NUTS WERE FOUND AT THE CRASH SCENE. THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED BLUE DOTS WERE MISSING WHEN THE NEW NUTS WERE REPLACED BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell BH 206-L111 BH 206-L11
Tail NumberN3898Y
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEnergy Fuels Nuclear
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 5 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data