# Accident 20030813034469A: Bell 206L3, August 13, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 13, 2003, 11:17 local time
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: HEEA
- Location: 31.1694° N, 91.8679° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1694&lon=-91.8679&mi=10
- Aircraft: N41128, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41128-2005-07-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206L-3 (registry code 1182108, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250 SER 250HP (registry code 03002, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L3
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 3
- Pilot flight hours: 10,406 total, 6,858 in this make and model, 76 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA259) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030813034469A

## Narrative

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

(-23) SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA WITH STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND LIGHTNING. THE HELICOPTER HAD LANDED ON EI-276 TO REFUEL AND PICK UP THREE (3) PASSENGERS. ONE PASSENGER WAS ALL READY ON THE HELICOPTER. WHILE THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING HOT REFUEL BY A PASSENGER THE OTHER PASSENGERS LOADED THEIR BAGGAGE IN THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT AND BOARDED THE HELICOPTER. BY THE TIME THE HELICOPTER WAS READY TO DEPART THE WEATHER HAD GOTTEN WORSE. IT HAD STARTED TO RAIN AND THE WIND GUST HAD INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH. WITNESSES STATED THAT AS THE HELICOPTER STARTED COMING UP TO ABOUT 3 FEET ABOVE THE HELIDECK, THE NOSE WENT STRAIGHT UP TO ABOUT 35 DEGREES AND DOWN ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE AND ROTATED TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE NOSE PITCHED UP, THE TAILBOOM HIT AND SNAPPED. THE TAIL BOOM WAS COMPLETELY SEVERED FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE MAIN ROTORS HIT THE PLATFORM AND CAUSING IT TO RIP UP THE HELICOPTER REAL BAD. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE WATER UPSIDE DOWN. HE SAID, "IT WAS SO FAST AND SO VIOLENT."

## 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 CHI03FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA259), Aug 13, 2003: Bell 206L-3 (N41128), E.I. 276, LA, substantial damage, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and the directional control not obtained/maintained by the pilot during takeoff. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the planned approach…

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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