On June 27, 1983, a Bell 206L-1 (registration N3904L) was involved in an aviation accident near Lafayette, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The power loss was caused by failure of the full control lever to open fully, resulting from a mechanic overtightening the throttle linkage. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter made a hard landing after the pilot elected to autorotate due to rotor RPM and N2 bleed-off. The power loss was traced to a full control lever failure caused by an overtightened throttle linkage.
Incident Sequence
The helicopter made a hard precautionary landing after the pilot observed that rotor RPM and N2 would bleed off when collective pitch was increased to 80 percent torque. The pilot returned to the airport and chose to perform an autorotation instead of landing with the available power. The autorotation resulted in a hard landing.
Findings
Investigation determined that the power loss was caused by the failure of the full control lever to open fully. This failure occurred because a mechanic had overtightened the throttle linkage after a pilot complained of throttle creeping open. According to the operator, throttle creeping is considered normal on a Bell 206L-1.
Probable cause
The power loss was caused by failure of the full control lever to open fully, resulting from a mechanic overtightening the throttle linkage.
What happened in the 27 Jun 1983 Bell 206L-1 accident near Lafayette, LA?
A helicopter made a hard landing after the pilot elected to autorotate due to rotor RPM and N2 bleed-off. The power loss was traced to a full control lever failure caused by an overtightened throttle linkage.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 Jun 1983 involved a Bell 206L-1, registration N3904L, at Lafayette, LA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The power loss was caused by failure of the full control lever to open fully, resulting from a mechanic overtightening the throttle linkage.
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