# Accident 19961031034559A: Bell 206B, Creole, LA, October 31, 1996

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 31, 1996, 17:15 local time
- Place: Creole, LA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: Rotorcraft external load (Part 133)
- Operator: A05L
- Location: 29.8402° N, 93.0597° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8402&lon=-93.0597&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2043B, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2043B) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206B (registry code 1181511, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW97LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA030) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961031034559A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

HELICOPTER WAS DOING LONG LINE WORK WHEN BASKET CAUGHT A FENCE AND PULLED AIRCRAFT TO THE GROUND. (-23) ON OCTOBER 31 1996, AT 1715 CENTRAL STANDARD TIME, A BELL, MODEL 206B, HELICOPTER, N2043B, REGISTERED TO ROTORCRAFT LEASING COMPANY, BROUSSARD, LOUISIANA, OPERATED BY AMERICAN AVIATION, INC., AS A 14 CFR PART 91 FLIGHT; IMPACTED THE GROUND DURING TAKEOFF FROM A FIELD LOCATION NEAR CREOLE, LOUISIANA. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS NOT INJURED AND THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND COMPANY VFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE COMPANY HOLDS A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, TITLE 14 CFR, PART 133, OPERATING CERTIFICATE FOR EXTERNAL-LOAD OPERATIONS. THE HELICOPTER WAS EQUIPPED WITH A 100-FOOT-LONG LINE AND AN ALUMINUM BASKET. THE PILOT ARRIVED AT THE LANDING SITE AT 0730 HOURS AND BEGAN THE DAY'S ACTIVITIES, WHICH TOTALED APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME. AT THE END OF THE DAY, AFTER BEING STATIONARY FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS, THE CREW BEGAN TO PICK UP FOR THE DAY'S END. AS THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING REPOSITIONED TO ANOTHER LOCATION FOR THE EVENING FOR DAILY MAINTENANCE, THE PILOT STAR                                                    TED AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT CHECKING THE LINE ATTACHMENT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FORGOT THAT THE LINE WAS STILL ATTACHED AND FORGOT TO CHECK. THE BASKET SNAGGED A FENCE AND THE HELICOPTER WAS PULLED TO GROUND CONTACT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR AND THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE COMPANY HAS INITIATED A PROCEDURE TO ENSURE A NON-REOCCURRENCE OF THIS EVENT IN THE FUTURE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW97LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA030), Oct 31, 1996: Bell 206B-3 (N2043B), Creole, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to remove the 100 foot long line and the external cargo basket from the helicopter before takeoff, and/or his failure to ensure that clearance/altitude was…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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