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Engine Turbine Failure Leads to Forced Landing and Fire (N51DC)

Stuart, FL, US

On August 4, 1983, a Bell 206B (registration N51DC) was involved in an aviation accident near Stuart, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure was due to oil-type corrosion from the inner surface of the inner power turbine shaft, which weakened the shaft, leading to fracture and separation of the third-stage turbine wheel, resulting in an uncontained burst failure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

While cruising at 600 ft AGL, an engine's third-stage turbine catastrophically failed, triggering a chip detector light and fire. The pilot performed an autorotative landing, and the fire was extinguished. Investigation found corrosion on the turbine shaft.

Incident

During cruise flight at approximately 600 feet above ground level, a catastrophic failure of the engine's third-stage turbine occurred. The pilot reported observing an engine chip detector light, which was followed almost immediately by a fire in the engine. The pilot executed a successful autorotative landing.

Emergency Response

The fire was extinguished using hand-held fire fighting equipment. Fire damage was limited to the engine area.

Investigation Findings

The engine was shipped to the manufacturer's facility for examination. According to their report, the failure occurred due to what appeared to be oil-type corrosion originating from the inner diameter surface of the inner power turbine shaft. The corrosion weakened the shaft by reducing its wall thickness, which resulted in the shaft fracturing. This allowed the third-stage turbine wheel to separate from the fourth-stage turbine wheel and overspeed. The third-stage wheel then experienced an uncontained burst failure as a result of the overspeed.

Probable cause

The failure was due to oil-type corrosion from the inner surface of the inner power turbine shaft, which weakened the shaft, leading to fracture and separation of the third-stage turbine wheel, resulting in an uncontained burst failure.
Engine failure

Related events

Same aircraft family

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Aug 1983 Bell 206B accident near Stuart, FL?

While cruising at 600 ft AGL, an engine's third-stage turbine catastrophically failed, triggering a chip detector light and fire. The pilot performed an autorotative landing, and the fire was extinguished. Investigation found corrosion on the turbine shaft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Aug 1983 involved a Bell 206B, registration N51DC, at Stuart, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The failure was due to oil-type corrosion from the inner surface of the inner power turbine shaft, which weakened the shaft, leading to fracture and separation of the third-stage turbine wheel, resulting in an uncontained burst failure.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X44254. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.