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NTSB Report
June 10, 1983 · Bell 212 · N59636
Goleta, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 10, 1983
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Goleta, CA
Aircraft
Bell 212
Tail Number
N59636
Operator
Rotor Aids
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX83FA277
THE PLT STATED THAT AS HE APPROACHED THE OIL RIG & REDUCED POWER TO START HIS DESCENT FROM 500 FT, THE TAIL ROTOR (T/R) PEDALS BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VIBRATIONS BECAME WORSE WITH A FURTHER REDUCTION OF POWER TO REDUCE AIRSPEED. THE PLT THEN PLANNED A DESCENT SO AS TO BE CLOSER TO THE WATER IN CASE OF A COMPLETE T/R FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE ACFT UNEXPECTEDLY STRUCK THE WATER BEFORE THE PLT ARMED THE AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED EMERGENCY FLOTATION BAGS. THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY ROLLED OVER. THE M/R ASSEMBLY, T/R ASSEMBLY AFT OF THE 42 DEG GEAR BOX, VERTICAL FIN & UPPER TRANSMISSION WERE NOT RECOVERED. THE OPERATOR DID NOT HAVE A CFR 135 EXEMPTION ALLOWING SINGLE PILOT OPERATIONAL OF A BELL 212 OVER WATER.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT AS HE APPROACHED THE OIL RIG & REDUCED POWER TO START HIS DESCENT FROM 500 FT, THE TAIL ROTOR (T/R) PEDALS BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VIBRATIONS BECAME WORSE WITH A FURTHER REDUCTION OF POWER TO REDUCE AIRSPEED. THE PLT THEN PLANNED A DESCENT SO AS TO BE CLOSER TO THE WATER IN CASE OF A COMPLETE T/R FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE ACFT UNEXPECTEDLY STRUCK THE WATER BEFORE THE PLT ARMED THE AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED EMERGENCY FLOTATION BAGS. THE ACFT IMMEDIATELY ROLLED OVER. THE M/R ASSEMBLY, T/R ASSEMBLY AFT OF THE 42 DEG GEAR BOX, VERTICAL FIN & UPPER TRANSMISSION WERE NOT RECOVERED. THE OPERATOR DID NOT HAVE A CFR 135 EXEMPTION ALLOWING SINGLE PILOT OPERATIONAL OF A BELL 212 OVER WATER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:18 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 212
Tail NumberN59636
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRotor Aids
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6T-3B · Turboshaft · 900
Seats14
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind360° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time07:18
Weather SourceWFAC