HOUSTON, TX, USA
N717NH
BELL 206B-3
WHILE ON A FLIGHT OVER METROPOLITAN HOUSTON TO GET AERIAL VIDEO FOOTAGE, THE MAIN DRIVE SHAFT COUPLING FAILED & THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN AUTOROTATION. HE TRIED TO LAND IN A PARKING LOT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH IT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER CRASH LANDED ON THE ROOF OF AN APARTMENT HOUSE. AN INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS OIL SOAKED & HAD DELAMINATED, CAUSING MISALIGNMENT OF THE DRIVE SHAFT. ALSO, A LACK OF LUBRICATION WAS NOTED IN THE MAIN DRIVE SHAFT COUPLING. OTHER MAINTENANCE DISCREPANCIES WERE ALSO NOTED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
ENGINE MOUNT DELAMINATION AND LACK LUBRICATION, CAUSING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO FAIL. POOR SERVICING OF THE HELICOPTER WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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