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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 27, 1982 · Bell 206B · N5754P

Jamestown, LA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Jamestown, LA
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N5754P
Operator
International Paper
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW82FRJ17

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL BURNING OPERATIONS OVER A WOODED AREA WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE HELICOPTER. AT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 FT ABOVE THE TALLEST TREE IN THE AREA WITH THE AERIAL TORCH BURNING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RPM AUDIO IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCEND. HE KEYED THE MICROPHONE AND CALLED "ENGINE FAILURE, ENGINE FAILURE" TWICE, AND DIRECTED THE HELICOPTER TO THE CLEAREST AREA. AFTER CRASHING INTO TREES, THE PILOT MANAGED TO CRAWL OUT. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MAIN DRIVE SHAFT, PN 206-040-110-3, HAD FAILED, THUS DISCONNECTING THE ENGINE FROM THE MAIN ROTOR.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL BURNING OPERATIONS OVER A WOODED AREA WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE AREA OF THE HELICOPTER. AT THAT TIME, THE HELICOPTER WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 FT ABOVE THE TALLEST TREE IN THE AREA WITH THE AERIAL TORCH BURNING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RPM AUDIO IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DESCEND. HE KEYED THE MICROPHONE AND CALLED "ENGINE FAILURE, ENGINE FAILURE" TWICE, AND DIRECTED THE HELICOPTER TO THE CLEAREST AREA. AFTER CRASHING INTO TREES, THE PILOT MANAGED TO CRAWL OUT. THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MAIN DRIVE SHAFT, PN 206-040-110-3, HAD FAILED, THUS DISCONNECTING THE ENGINE FROM THE MAIN ROTOR.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN5754P
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorInternational Paper
Operating RulePart 133
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 270
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 12 kt
Visibility18 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg

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Appendix: Source Data