File photo of a Bell 204A-1, N386HQ, at the Saddle Ridge Fire October 2019. Stonebrookphotography.The discovery that a defective part caused the crash of a Bell 212 helicopter June 28, 2021 in Alberta, Canada has led to the grounding of most of the helicopters that transport large numbers of wildland firefighters. Heath Coleman, a helicopter pilot with Yellowhead Helicopters, was killed in the crash.
In an Emergency Airworthiness Directive issued July 5, 2021 by Transport Canada, said an investigation determined that a main rotor hub strap pin with part number (P/N) 204-012-104-005 and a prefix of “FNFS” sheared off during flight, leading to detachment of the main rotor blade and the main rotor head. The part only had 20 hours of service. The strap in another helicopter with the same part number was found to be defective after only 29 hours.
Bell has determined that some of the main rotor hub strap pins may not have been manufactured in accordance with the engineering design requirements and may shear as a result of the non-conformance.
The Bell helicopters affected are 204B, 205A-1, 205 B, and 212.
Bell is requiring that records be checked before the next flight to see if the defective strap pins were installed, and if they were, replace them which could take approximately 20 hours.
When more than a few wildland firefighters are transported in a helicopter, it usually occurs in a 204, 205, or 212. FAA and in some cases US Forest Service regulations do not allow larger Type 1 helicopters that can carry more than 700 gallons of water to carry passengers.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the June 28 crash occurred while Mr. Coleman was flying “crew runs”, but he was the only person on board at the time. Thankfully the part failure did not occur while a crew of firefighters was on board.
We have not yet seen a directive from the FAA about this situation. If one is issued, we will update this article.
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Tom, Tim, Mike, and Nate.
3 Comments
Side note, 204’s were placed in restricted category b the FAA in 1998 after issues with parts and false data plates. Less than 100 civilian UH-1B’s (The “204”) were ever built. I doubt any are even operating for a government agency under public use so 204’s hauling passengers is a thing of the past. Mostly you see UH-1H’s in that role (Cal Fire, Washington DNR, counties) and the Forest Service uses Part 135 certified standard category 205/212 Hueys. UH-1’s are basically just bucket ships on fed fires.
Actually, the USFS HAS grounded them and did so before Transport Canada.
Just for clarity, the DOA or DOI in the US may decline to use an aircraft type on their missions, but have no authority to ” ground” any aircraft in civilian use. That they did so immediately speaks to their seriousness and attentiveness to safe operations. Why the FAA has not issued an emergency AD for this issue ( at this posting) is unknown by me. Transport Canada and Bell Helicopter and the USFS have immediately done what was needed.
Comments are closed for this article!