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NTSB Report
August 4, 1983 · Bell 206B · N51DC
Stuart, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Stuart, FL
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N51DC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA83LA199
WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT APRX 600 FT AGL, A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE'S 3RD STAGE TURBINE OCCURRED. THE PLT RELATED THAT HE OBSERVED AN ENGINE CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BY FIRE IN THE ENGINE. HE MADE A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY USE OF HAND FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT. FIRE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE AREA. THE ENGINE WAS SHIPPED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S FACILITY FOR EXAMINATION. ACCORDING TO THEIR REPORT, THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN OIL TYPE CORROSION FROM THE I.D. SURFACE OF THE INNER POWER TURBINE SHAFT; CORROSION WEAKENED THE SHAFT BY REDUCING THE WALL THICKNESS WHICH RESULTED IN IT FRACTURING & ALLOWING THE 3RD STAGE TURBINE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE 4TH STAGE TURBINE SHEEL & OVERSPEED; THE 3RD STAGE WHEEL THEN EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTAINED BURST FAILURE AS A RESULT OF THE OVERSPEED.
Full Narrative
WHILE IN CRUISE FLT AT APRX 600 FT AGL, A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE'S 3RD STAGE TURBINE OCCURRED. THE PLT RELATED THAT HE OBSERVED AN ENGINE CHIP DETECTOR LIGHT, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BY FIRE IN THE ENGINE. HE MADE A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATIVE LANDING. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY USE OF HAND FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT. FIRE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE AREA. THE ENGINE WAS SHIPPED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S FACILITY FOR EXAMINATION. ACCORDING TO THEIR REPORT, THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN OIL TYPE CORROSION FROM THE I.D. SURFACE OF THE INNER POWER TURBINE SHAFT; CORROSION WEAKENED THE SHAFT BY REDUCING THE WALL THICKNESS WHICH RESULTED IN IT FRACTURING & ALLOWING THE 3RD STAGE TURBINE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE 4TH STAGE TURBINE SHEEL & OVERSPEED; THE 3RD STAGE WHEEL THEN EXPERIENCED AN UNCONTAINED BURST FAILURE AS A RESULT OF THE OVERSPEED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN51DC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 43 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC