# NTSB ATL85FA112: Bell 206L, N16841, Dauphin Island, AL, March 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1985, 11:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Dauphin Island, AL
- Coordinates: 30.249786, -88.11016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2498&lon=-88.1102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6601
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6601/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA112

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - became lost/disoriented - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PLT DEPARTED FOR OFFSHORE OIL RIG 3 TIMES. TWO TIMES REPORTED RETURNING DUE TO FOG. AFTER THIRD REPORT, PLT SAID HE WAS IFR. NO FURTHER RADIO COMMUNICATION. WRECKAGE INDICATIVE OF HIGH SPEED WATER IMPACT. DENSE FOG AND LOW CEILING REPORTED OFFSHORE SOUTH OF DAUPHIN ISLAND. VFR FLIGHT. PLT NOT CURRENT IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16841](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16841-1988-04-22), registration cancelled 1988-04-22, S/N 45130 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L
- Registry model: [Bell 206L](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l) (registry code 1181522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45130
- Airframe hours: 6789
- Engines: ALLISON 250C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 6, 1985, 46 hours before
- Departed: 4R9
- Destination: GULF OF MEXICO, OF
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 7,060 total, 5,899 in this make and model, 6,769 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 50 ft
- Temperature: 73 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850309008779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850309008779A), Mar 9, 1985: Bell 206L, Dauphin Island, AL, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Departed into near zero IMC. Wreckage found indicates high speed water impact.

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.

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