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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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November 22, 1982 · Bell 206B · N144AL

Buccaneer Oil F

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 22, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Buccaneer Oil F
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N144AL
Operator
Air Logistics
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW83FA043

THE ACFT WAS FOUND FLOATING INVERTED ABOUT 1.5 MI FROM THE POINT OF DEPARTURE. THE TAILBOOM HAD SEPARATED & THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE M/R BLADES HAD STRUCK THE TAILBOOM. THE WINDSHIELD & CHIN BUBBLE WAS BROKEN OUT. AN OIL PUMP GEAR TOOTH WAS FOUND ADHERING TO THE LOWER CHIP DETECTOR PLUG. THE OIL PUMP HAD 3 TEETH MISSING FROM A GEAR. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A SMOOTH ROUND OBJECT GOING THROUGH THE PUMP & JAMMING THE GEAR TEETH. THE BALL SEPARATOR GAGE FOR A BEARING (MRC P/N 6859435-G) HAD BROKEN APART ALLOWING BALLS TO FALL OUT. THE GEAR WHICH DRIVES THE FUEL CONTROL & OIL PUMP THEN MOVED SIDEWAYS FAR ENOUGH TO BECOME UNCOUPLED FROM ITS DRIVE GEAR. THE SEVEN TANGS ON ONE-HALF OF THE BALL SEPARATOR CAGE HAD SEPARATED. THE SEPARATED BEARING WAS NOT AN AUTHORIZED TYPE FOR USE IN THIS ENGINE. THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A COMMERCIAL ENGINE BULLETIN DATED 9/30/82 CALLING FOR ALL UNAUTHORIZED BEARINGS TO BE REMOVED FROM SPARE STOCK & SCRAPPED.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS FOUND FLOATING INVERTED ABOUT 1.5 MI FROM THE POINT OF DEPARTURE. THE TAILBOOM HAD SEPARATED & THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE M/R BLADES HAD STRUCK THE TAILBOOM. THE WINDSHIELD & CHIN BUBBLE WAS BROKEN OUT. AN OIL PUMP GEAR TOOTH WAS FOUND ADHERING TO THE LOWER CHIP DETECTOR PLUG. THE OIL PUMP HAD 3 TEETH MISSING FROM A GEAR. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A SMOOTH ROUND OBJECT GOING THROUGH THE PUMP & JAMMING THE GEAR TEETH. THE BALL SEPARATOR GAGE FOR A BEARING (MRC P/N 6859435-G) HAD BROKEN APART ALLOWING BALLS TO FALL OUT. THE GEAR WHICH DRIVES THE FUEL CONTROL & OIL PUMP THEN MOVED SIDEWAYS FAR ENOUGH TO BECOME UNCOUPLED FROM ITS DRIVE GEAR. THE SEVEN TANGS ON ONE-HALF OF THE BALL SEPARATOR CAGE HAD SEPARATED. THE SEPARATED BEARING WAS NOT AN AUTHORIZED TYPE FOR USE IN THIS ENGINE. THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A COMMERCIAL ENGINE BULLETIN DATED 9/30/82 CALLING FOR ALL UNAUTHORIZED BEARINGS TO BE REMOVED FROM SPARE STOCK & SCRAPPED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN144AL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Logistics
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250C-20 · Turboshaft · 317
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 7 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data