N16814

On August 4, 1993, at 1400 central daylight time, a Bell 206B, N16814, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Pearland, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and a mechanic aboard the helicopter were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local maintenance check flight.

The Pilot/Operator report and statement submitted by the pilot reported that he performed the preflight, and after a 10 minute ground run was cleared for takeoff. During initial climbout, at approximately 200 to 280 feet above the ground (AGL), the engine made a noise and decelerated.

An autorotation was initiated to an open field. The pilot stated that "at about 30 to 40 feet I began a gentle deceleration and reduced my ground speed to about 0 at about 4 feet and waited for the aircraft to settle, then I began to cushion with collective." He further stated "the aircraft touched down and rocked forward and then back." During the backward movement, the pilot heard a loud bang. Damage to the helicopter included a severed outboard portion of the tailboom.

The mechanic reported in the enclosed statement that he was aboard the helicopter for a maintenance operational flight check following a turbine replacement. He further reported that the engine "seized at about 300 feet" above the ground.

Examination of the engine by the operator and FAA inspectors (enclosed statement) indicated a lack of lubrication to the number eight bearing.

The representative of the engine manufacturer (enclosed report) examined the engine and found that the #8 bearing was "not fully engaged with the groove in the G. P. Support and the bearing had partially failed."