# Accident 20150608009789A: Bell 407, Pecan Island, LA, June 8, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 8, 2015, 14:32 local time
- Place: Pecan Island, LA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: HEEA
- Location: 29.6178° N, 92.3533° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6178&lon=-92.3533&mi=10
- Aircraft: N501PH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N501PH-2025-04-19) (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
- Reported engine: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C47B
- People aboard: 5
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 2,959 total, 829 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN15LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA265) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150608009789A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 2 MILES OFF SHORE IN-BOUND AT 1200'. PILOT AND PASSENGERS HEARD "THUD" & FELT SHORT DURATION VIBRATION. PILOT LOWERED COLLECTIVE SLIGHTLY & SLOWED AIRCRAFT. FLIGHT CONTROLS SEEMED NORMAL. ALL INSTRUMENTS WERE NORMAL & NO CAUTION LIGHTS WERE ON. PILOT LOWERED COLLECTIVE MORE FOR APPROACH & LANDING AND AT ABOUT 800' VIBRATION & NOISE INCREASED WITH UN-COMMANDED YAW TO RIGHT. THE PILOT COMMENCED AN AUTO ROTATION AND A HARD LANDING WAS MADE TO THE MARSH BELOW.  THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX WITH TAILROTOR  BLADE ASSEMBLY ATTACHED ALONG WITH THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX ATTACH FITTING WAS SENT TO BELL HELICOPTER FIELD INVESTIGATION LAB FOR INSPECTION.

## 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 CEN15LA265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA265), Jun 8, 2015: Bell 407 (N501PH), Pecan Island, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue fracture of the tail rotor gearbox attachment studs, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor control and a subsequent hard landing.

## Other reports on N501PH (1)

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

- [Accident 20030425008149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030425008149A), Apr 25, 2003: Bell 407 (N501PH), Houma, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft experienced two subsequent momentary vibrations during cruise flight. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing to investigate the…

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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