# NTSB CEN12CA191: Bell 206L-3, N104LP, Southern Timbalier 52CA, March 12, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 12, 2012, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Southern Timbalier 52CA
- Coordinates: 28.944444, -90.182777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9444&lon=-90.1828&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83167/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83167
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA191

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection when he did not remove a tie-down strap prior to takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

## Findings

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

- [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Bell 206L-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=1182108), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The helicopter was tied down overnight on the helideck of an off-shore oil platform. The pilot stated that the helicopter preflight had been completed before sunrise, and the first flight of the day was scheduled 4 hours 30 minutes later. During the walk-around prior to the flight, the pilot overlooked the right rear tie-down, which was one of four connected to the fuselage. The pilot attempted to takeoff with the tie-down still attached to the helicopter, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. The helicopter remained on the helideck. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and the right side of the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

The helicopter was tied down overnight on the helideck of an offshore oil platform. The pilot stated the helicopter preflight had been completed hours prior to the first flight. During the walk-around prior to the first flight of the day, he overlooked the right rear tie-down which was one of four connected to the fuselage. The pilot attempted to takeoff with the tie-down still attached to the helicopter which resulted in a dynamic rollover. The helicopter remained on the helideck. Substantial damage resulted to the tailboom and the right side of the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N104LP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N104LP-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 51481, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51481
- Engines: Allison 250-C30P 490 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Chevron USA Inc
- Registered owner: Chevron USA Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 52CA, Southern Timbalier 52CA, GM
- Destination: S Timbalier 37J, GM
- Airport: 52CA, Southern Timbalier 52CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 4,352 total, 2,134 in this make and model, 4,043 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 20120312003709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120312003709A), Mar 12, 2012: Bell 206L-3, Substantial damage. During attempted takeoff the aircraft rolled over onto right side. Main rotor blade struck the steel platform causing substaintial damage to aircraft. Pilot…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83167. 630 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 577 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365055&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365056&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-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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