Bell 206B N57536

Summary

On 17 July 1995 at about 15:35 local time, a Bell 206B registered N57536, operated by Air Logistics, was involved in an accident near West Cameron. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 July 1995 at 15:35

Classification

Accident

Location

West Cameron

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N57536

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Air Logistics

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW95LA303

Nobody was injured.

THE DISCONNECT OF THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 500 TO 700 FEET THE PILOT FELT A HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION IN THE TAIL ROTOR ANTI TORQUE PEDALS. SUBSEQUENTLY, A LOW PITCH 'HUM' AND A 'SHUDDERING VIBRATION' WAS FELT, 'FOLLOWED BY A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT.' THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO 'ROTATE TO THE RIGHT', AND THE APPLICATION OF 'FULL LEFT PEDAL' HAD NO EFFECT IN STOPPING THE ROTATION. AFTER 'SEVERAL' 360 DEGREE TURNS, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO STREAMLINE THE HELICOPTER. AN AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED, AND THE AIRCRAFT'S ROTATION WAS REDUCED TO A 'SLOW RIGHT MOTION SPIRAL OR FLAT SPIN.' DURING THE COMPLETION OF THE AUTOROTATION, THE LEFT FLOAT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE WATER FIRST AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED INVERTED. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THAT A BOLT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TAIL ROTOR AFT SHORT SHAFT FORWARD FLEX COUPLING AND THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS FRACTURED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.