Bell TH-1L N465JR
12 July 1988 · Walterboro, South Carolina, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 12 July 1988 at about 11:30 local time, a Bell TH-1L registered N465JR, operated by S. Eastern Helicopter Logging, was involved in an accident near Walterboro, South Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause statement is available for this record.
The record
- Date
- at 11:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Walterboro, South Carolina, United States
- Coordinates
- 32.8995, -80.6692
- Aircraft
- Bell TH-1L
- Registration
- N465JR
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- S. Eastern Helicopter Logging
- Operating rule
- Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL88FA213
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.
Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE MILITARY SURPLUS HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A 42 DEGREE GEAR BOX FAILURE WHILE LIFTING A LOAD OF LOGS. THE HELICOPTER SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED HARD AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO AUTOROTATE TO A LDG. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE GEARBOX REVEALED THAT A GEAR TOOTH ON THE INPUT QUILL PINION HAD FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE. NO EVIDENCE OF PREEXISTING DAMAGE OR IMPROPER OVERHAUL PROCEDURES WAS FOUND. THE GEARBOX TSO WAS ABOUT 440 HRS. THE 42 DEG GEAR BOX MAY BE OVER- HAULED ON CONDITION. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE HELICOPTER HAD EXPERIENCED IN EXCESS OF 13,000 LIFT CYCLES IN 380 HRS SINCE IT WAS PLACED IN SERVICE IN A LOGGING OPERATION. THE HELICOPTER HAD BEEN FAA-CERTIFICATED IN THE RESTRICTED CATEGORY FOR EXTERNAL LOAD OPERATIONS; HOWEVER, BELL RPTS THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR REPEATED HEAVY LIFTING. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 2 OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES INVOLVING SURPLUS UH-1/TH-1 HELICOPTERS USED IN LOGGING OPERATIONS. THE LANDING SITE WAS STREWN WITH CUT TIMBER AND SMALL TREES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Bell TH-1L accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Feb 1989 | Bell TH-1L | Greenville, Florida, United States | Green Mountain Helicopter, Inc | No injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 1990 | Bell TH-1L | Galax, Virginia, United States | Ranger Helicopters Services | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1994 | Bell TH-1L | Etna, California, United States | Hiser Helicopters Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 Nov 1997 | Bell TH-1L | Canby, Oregon, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Jun 1988 | Piper PA-38-112 | McCormick, South Carolina, United States | Int'l Flight Center | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jun 1988 | Aeronca 0-58B | Newberry, South Carolina, United States | Carroll E. Looney | Serious injuries | - |
| 29 Jun 1988 | Cessna 172 | Greenville, South Carolina, United States | Steve & Tracy Parrish | No injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 1988 | Piper PA-34-200T | Laurens, South Carolina, United States | Cabeza, Anthony R. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 1988 | Champion 7GCAA | N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States | Phoenix Flight Signs | No injuries | - |
| 22 Aug 1988 | Cessna 177A | Ridgeland, South Carolina, United States | Sale Reported | Minor injuries | - |