2 fatal · Bell 206L-1 · 1996-04-04 · CHARLESTON, WV, USA
Event
NTSB number
NYC96GA083
Event ID
20001208X05655
Type
Accident
Date
1996-04-04
Location
CHARLESTON, WV, USA
Coordinates
38.310569, -81.750114
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Bell
Model
206L-1
Registration
N79SP
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
the helicopter manufacturer's inadequate maintenance service bulletin inspection interval which failed to provide timely detection of preexisting fatigue cracks in the tail boom. Factors were: the manufacturer's failure to develop a modification of the failed area, and the failure of the FAA certification office to monitor and act upon the significant number of reports of tail boom cracking that were reported by industry.