# NTSB CEN11CA303: Bell 206, N887T, Venice, LA, April 13, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 13, 2011, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Venice, LA
- Coordinates: 28.950277, -89.385833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9503&lon=-89.3858&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Baton Rouge FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78951/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78951
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA303

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the collective and cyclic control during taxi operations, which induced a dynamic rollover.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Taxi: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Bell 206B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=1181511), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was water-taxiing a fixed-float equipped helicopter in a right sideways direction when the helicopter rolled to the right, impacted the water, rolled inverted, and sank. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was able to exit the inverted cockpit, inflate his life vest and swim to shore. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, tail rotor, and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. The characteristics displayed by the helicopter were indicative of it encountering a dynamic rollover.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the fixed-float equipped helicopter reported he was water-taxiing in a right sideways direction when the helicopter rolled to the right, impacted the water, rolled inverted, and submerged. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was able to exit the inverted cockpit, inflate his life vest and swim to shore. The impact caused substantial damage to the main rotor system, tail rotor, and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the helicopter. The helicopter's tendency to continue rolling when the critical angle is exceeded, as when one skid is caught on the surface, and the helicopter pivots around that point, is dynamic rollover.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N887T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N887T-2012-04-17), registration cancelled 2012-04-17, S/N 2219, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206 (B)
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (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: 2219
- Airframe hours: 8335
- Engines: ALLISON 250 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: El Paso Cgp LLC
- Registered owner: El Paso Cgp LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 21, 2011, 14 hours before
- Departed: HUM, HOUMA, LA
- Destination: Venice, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 26, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 9,500 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 9,300 as pilot in command, 177 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KBVE, 22 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 20110413007549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110413007549A), Apr 13, 2011: Bell 206B, Venice, LA, Substantial damage. After making a water landing to drop off a passinger the pilot began to taxi across the canal away from the platform/dock. When clear of the platform the pilot…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78951. 1.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349856&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Maps of Accident Location (item 2, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20of%20Accident%20Location-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Summary (item 3, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349857&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Summary-Master.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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