Bell 206L-1 N1071A

Summary

On 17 April 1990 at about 19:30 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N1071A, operated by Houston Helicopter Inc., was involved in an accident near E. Island BLK15. 5 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 April 1990 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

E. Island BLK15

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N1071A

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Houston Helicopter Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grand Island 82 → Cameron

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW90LA096

1 person was seriously injured.

THE LOSS OF CONTINUITY IN THE COMPRESSOR SECTION OF THE ENGINE DUE TO A FATIQUE FAILURE OF THE SPUR ADAPTER GEAR SHAFT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING A FLIGHT OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO, THE HELICOPTER HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE FLOATS. THE LANDING WAS HARD ENOUGH FOR ONE OF THE PASSENGERS TO RECEIVE SERIOUS INJURIES. SOMETIME AFTER THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER IN THE GLASSY, SMOOTH, WATER. TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE SPUR ADAPTER GEAR SHAFT HAD LOST ITS HARDNESS, AND THAT EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE WAS PRESENT IN THE CAMPONENTS. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED WHAT THE CYCLIC VALUE OF THE FATIGUE CRACKS WERE, HOWEVER, THE POINT OF ORIGIN WAS DETERMINED TO BE A RUBBED AREA ON THE SPUR ADAPTER GEAR SHAFT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.