I need some info on this A/C!

[OEI-Dave]

The operator: Helisul
Incident date: 1/31/2004
Country: Brazil
Reg #: PT-YEF
A/C: Bell 206L4
C/N: 52171

I know this aircraft was destroyed but I need to know how, what conditions, and pictures would be excellent.

We have the engine from this ship in our facility and the only thing we are told is that it was involved in an accident. I need to know how badly (ie. g-forces, broken mounts, stoppage conditions ect.) to asess the overhaul procedure and repair accordingly.

I was hoping some of you might have some info on this incident. A google search has yielded only sparse reports. :ugh:

Thanks in advance

[Ian Corrigible]

Presume you found this: dos Santos v. Bell Helicopter Textron (http://tx.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20090813_0000834.NTX.htm/qx)

States the tailboom separated in-flight over the Amazon jungle.

I/C

[helihub]

Google-translated summary (original text here (http://www.cenipa.aer.mil.br/cenipa/paginas/relatorios/individual.php?matricula=PT-YEF))

The aircraft started its take off daily operation of the Base Operations Port Bird in Puerto Urucu Oil Province, Municipality of Coari - AM, at 07h 30 minutes, with the purpose of continuing air operations in support of the seismic area of Petrobras . Around 13:12, after disembarking passengers in the Clearing number 58-16, inside the Amazon jungle, the pilot proceeded to take off. As reports of Petrobras employees who were on the ground observing the operation of the helicopter, was not perceived any abnormality both in the climb attitude, the operation of the engine. After freeing the treetops at a height of 30 meters above the ground, was the detachment of the tail cone (tailboom) the helicopter and, consequently, the loss of flight control. The aircraft performed spins around its vertical axis until the collision with trees and into the ground. The aircraft suffered severe damage and is considered their recovery uneconomical. The pilot suffered fatal injuries.

and the full local-language report is here (http://www.cenipa.aer.mil.br/cenipa/paginas/relatorios/pdf/pt_yef_31_01_04.pdf).

I guess that should suffice your requirements??

[OEI-Dave]

Thanks for the help. Since I posted I tracked down the official investigation report. Scary. :(