# NTSB CEN09CA275: Bell 407, N164RL, High Island 138, May 4, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 4, 2009, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: High Island 138
- Coordinates: 29.266387, -94.25 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2664&lon=-94.2500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA275
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73774/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73774
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA275

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the windsock during the approach.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 407, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wind sock](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Bell 407, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/cases.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 407, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1182206), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The commercial pilot was approaching an off-shore oil platform and positioned the helicopter to land "into the wind." The intended flight path crossed over a crane with a windsock on top. Having observed the obstructions, the pilot continued the approach to the helideck. As the helicopter overflew the crane, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted the windsock, resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter's tail boom section. The pilot was able to land the damaged helicopter on the oil platform's helideck.

## Factual narrative

The commercial pilot was approaching an off-shore oil platform and positioned the helicopter to land "into the wind." The intended flight path crossed over a crane with a windsock on top. Having observed the obstructions, the pilot continued the approach to the helideck. As the helicopter overflew the crane, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted the windsock resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter's tail boom section. The pilot was able to land the damaged helicopter on the oil platform's helideck.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N164RL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N164RL), registered now, S/N 53140, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 407
- Registry model: [Bell 407](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (registry code 1182206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 53140
- Airframe hours: 7169
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C47B 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Rotorcraft Leasing Co LLC
- Registered owner: Rotorcraft Leasing Co LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 1, 2009
- Departed: High Island 170, GM
- Destination: High Island 138, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 000, High Island 138

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 2,097 total, 340 in this make and model, 2,025 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KLCH, 125 nm away

## 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 20090504006709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090504006709A), May 4, 2009: Bell 407, Gulf Of Mexico, Substantial damage. 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…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 27, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73774. 665 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 665 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313416&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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