# NTSB ATL85LA017: Bell 222, N38929, Pascagoula, MS, October 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1984, 18:02 local (23:02 UTC)
- Place: Pascagoula, MS
- Location: 30.3601° N, 88.5563° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pascagoula, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3601&lon=-88.5563&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA017

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vertical takeoff - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - vehicle
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object

## Analysis

THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A BARGE DURING A FAR 135 MEDEVAC FLT. INVESTIGATION REVEALEDTHAT THE BARGE WAS PITCHING DUE TO ROUGH SEAS. AS THE ACFT LIFTED, THE REAR OF THE ACFT WAS STRUCK BY THE LANDING PLATFORM AS IT PITCHED FORWARD VIOLENTLY. THE MAIN ROTOR THAN STRUCK THE TAILBOOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38929](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38929-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 47049, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222
- Registry model: [Bell 222](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-222) (registry code 1182122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming LTS-101 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-lts-101-series) (registry code 41560, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47049
- Airframe hours: 1454
- Engines: Lycoming 101-650-03 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Offshore Logistics, doing business as Air Logistics [Ems]
- Registered owner: Continental Ill. Natioal Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 19, 1984, 61 hours before
- Departed: PASCAGOULA, MS
- Destination: MAIN PASS 95, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,984 total, 217 in this make and model, 5,786 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19841020059779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841020059779A), Oct 20, 1984: Bell 222, Pascagoula, MS, Substantial damage. Tried liftoff from barge in large waves. Barge pitched and hit helicopter, main rotor struck tail boom.

## Other investigations on N38929 (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 FTW81IA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81IA067), Apr 9, 1981: Bell 222 (N38929), Lake Charles, LA, incident, no damage

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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