# Accident 20090504006709A: Bell 407, Gulf Of Mexico, May 4, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 4, 2009, 15:00 local time
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: YTRA
- Location: 29.2664° N, 94.2500° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2664&lon=-94.2500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N164RL, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N164RL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bell 407 (registry code 1182206, https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250-C20 series (registry code 03020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 407
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,090 total, 337 in this make and model, 116 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN09CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA275) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090504006709A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON OFFSHORE PLATFORM.  WHILE ON APPROACH TO PLATFORM, THE TAILROTOR HIT THE WINDSOCK POLE.  THE TAILROTOR WAS DESTROYED, CAUSING THE PILOT TO HAVE TO AUTOROTATE TO THE DECK.  THE TAILROTOR GEARBOX AND TAILBOOM WERE ALSO DAMAGED.

## 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 CEN09CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA275), May 4, 2009: Bell 407 (N164RL), High Island 138, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the windsock during the 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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