Bell 206L-3 accident near Springdale, AR
On May 24, 1998, a Bell 206L-3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Springdale, AR. 3 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 24, 1998
- Place
- Springdale, AR
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 36.180°N, 94.140°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X10054
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 24, 1998, approximately 1235 central daylight time, a Bell 206L-3 helicopter, N27AE, operated by Air Evac EMS, Inc., of West Plains, Missouri, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing following a loss of engine power on takeoff from the Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, Arkansas. The commercial pilot and the two medical crewmembers received serious injuries. The positioning flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and was en route to Bella Vista, Arkansas, to pick up a patient for transport back to Northwest Medical Center. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that following a "normal start and run-up," the takeoff was made into an 8-knot southwest wind. A "good rate of climb" was established, and the helicopter "cleared the highest and immediate obstacles." The pilot's next recollection was of events after the accident. One of the medical crewmembers stated that after takeoff, the pilot initiated a "normal" left turn "to circle around to the north." The helicopter was facing south when there was a "loud explosion/backfire type of noise from above" which was "followed by complete silence." The helicopter then "rotated around to the left while falling." Witnesses reported that they heard a loud noise and saw black smoke coming from the helicopter shortly after it lifted off from the hospital helipad. According to local authorities, the helicopter descended into a parking lot, one of the main rotor blades struck a light pole, and the helicopter rolled over coming to r
Probable cause
The failure of maintenance personnel to properly assemble the engine's accessory gearbox, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to partial blockage of the main oil passage by an o-ring. The blockage reduced oil flow to the turbine shafting, which led to the total failure of the gas producer turbine shaft and the power (free) turbine shaft. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for
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Browse: Arkansas · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
