# Accident 20070722016269A: Bell 206L3, Gulf Of Mexico, US, July 22, 2007

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 22, 2007, 14:50 local time
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico, US
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Vertical (Helicopter Only)
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: ALGA
- Aircraft: N330P, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N330P-2013-09-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 206L-3 (registry code 1182108, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C30 series (registry code 03015, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L3
- Reported engine: ALLSN 250C30P
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,236 total, 78 in this make and model, 73 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DFW07LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA169) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070722016269A

## Narrative

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

(-23) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, THE PILOT OF AIRCRAFT N330P; DURING THE TAKEOFF PHASE FROM HI-138, AN UNCOMMANDED LEFT YAW OCCURRED ACCOMPANIED BY A LOSS IN ALTITUDE WHILE STILL OVER THE HELI-DECK. PILOT AND PASSENGER STATEMENTS INDICATE THAT THE RIGHT SKID STRUCK A HELI-DECK MOUNTED OBJECT (SOLAR PANEL) IN THE TAKE-OFF PATH OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE AIRCRAFT THEN FELL AND LANDED IN THE WATER AND ROLLED OVER TO THE LEFT UNTIL INVERTED. THE EMERGENCY FLOATS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AND THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN 47 FEET OF WATER. THE AIRCRAFT OCCUPANTS ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES AND WERE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL SUNDAY NIGHT. THE PILOT'S STATEMENTS INDICATES ONE PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT, AND THE OTHER IN THE RIGHT REAR, FORWARD FACING SEAT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED AND INSPECTED. THE FUEL AND PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS/COMPONENTS WERE ANALYZED AND BENCH CHECKED AND FOUND FUNCTIONAL. THE ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN WITH NO OBVIOUS ANOMALIES NOTED.

## 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 DFW07LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA169), Jul 22, 2007: Bell 206L-3 (N330P), High Island 138, destroyed. Probable cause: The loss of control as result of the pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM during takeoff.

## Other reports on N330P (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20050817023009I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050817023009I), Aug 17, 2005: Bell 206L3 (N330P), Gulf Of Mexico, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Helicopter vertical fin struck heliport safety fence during flare to land on an offshore oil platform located in mustang island, block A111, Gulf Of…

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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