# Accident 20010504010189A: Bell 407, LA, May 4, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 4, 2001, 16:16 local time
- Place: LA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: ALGA
- Location: 29.4333° N, 92.5000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4333&lon=-92.5000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N917AL, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N917AL-2001-12-03) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 407 (registry code 1182206, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C47 series (registry code 03029, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c47-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 407
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW01FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01FA115) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010504010189A

## Narrative

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

(-23)AIRCRAFT DEPARTED OFFSHORE PLATFORM, HI 368 ENROUTE TO INTERCOASTAL CITY (ICY) WITH ONE PASSENGER ON BOARD.  AT 1612 LOCAL, PILOT REPORTED TO COMPANY FLIGHT FOLLOWING, SLIGHT VIBRATION, WAS GOING TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARYLANDING ON A RIG IN SIGHT.  AT 1613 PILOT CALLED IN A MAYDAY, WITH SEVERE VIBRATIONS, AND WAS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A WATER LANDING.  AT THAT TIME PILO LOST POWER, WITH NO LOSS ON FLIGHT CONTROLS.   PILOT MADE A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION TO THE WATER.  PILOT NOTED THAT THE ROTOR BRAKE WAS INOPERATIVE.  WHILE WAITING FOR A CREW BOAT TO PICK THEM UP, THE PILOT NOTED  FLUID LEAKING DOWN IN THE AREA OF THE HAT RACK.  AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED NO FURTHER DAMAGE AT THIS TIME.  AIRCRAFT WAS SECURED TO CREW BOAT AND SUBSEQUANTLY ROLLED DURING THE NIGHT.

## 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 FTW01FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01FA115), May 4, 2001: Bell 407 (N917AL), Vermillion 44, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft coupling due to fatigue.

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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