# NTSB DFW07CA185: Bell 206, N85TC, Houma, LA, August 12, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 12, 2007, 13:09 local (18:09 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.578013, -90.712145
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5780&lon=-90.7121&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Houston, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA185

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly secure all loose items prior to takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - aircraft protective covering - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper decision, pilot in command
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,protective cover - not secured (cause)

## Analysis

The single-engine helicopter was conducting a round-robin flight between two offshore oil platforms.  On the return flight, the pilot heard an unusual noise followed by "pronounced roughness in the tail rotor system." After a few seconds the roughness decreased and the pilot determined that the tail rotor was still functional.  After landing, the pilot performed a post-flight inspection of the helicopter and discovered a metal wire wrapped around both sides of the tail rotor.  Post accident examination revealed structural damage to the tail rotor blades, the tail boom, and the lower portion of the vertical fin assembly, including the tail skid.  According to the pilot's statement a 3-foot-by-4- foot sunshade used to protect the cockpit windows, departed the helicopter during the flight.  The pilot reported that he had failed to properly secure the sunshade prior to takeoff, which inadvertently exited an open window and became entangled in the tail rotor system.  The 11,944-hour airline transport rated pilot reported having accumulated 375-hours in the same make and model helicopter.

## Factual narrative

The single-engine helicopter was conducting a round-robin flight between two offshore oil platforms.  On the return flight, the pilot heard an unusual noise followed by "pronounced roughness in the tail rotor system." After a few seconds the roughness decreased and the pilot determined that the tail rotor was still functional.  After landing, the pilot performed a post-flight inspection of the helicopter and discovered a metal wire wrapped around both sides of the tail rotor.  Post accident examination revealed structural damage to the tail rotor blades, the tail boom, and the lower portion of the vertical fin assembly, including the tail skid.  According to the pilot's statement a 3-foot-by-4- foot sunshade used to protect the cockpit windows, departed the helicopter during the flight.  The pilot reported that he had failed to properly secure the sunshade prior to takeoff, which inadvertently exited an open window and became entangled in the tail rotor system.  The 11,944-hour airline transport rated pilot reported having accumulated 375-hours in the same make and model helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N85TC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bell 206
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51143
- Airframe hours: 6213.5
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Evergreen Helicopters, doing business as Evergreen Helicopters International Inc.
- Registered owner: Evergreen Equity Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2007, 29.8 hours before
- Departed: SS99A, TX
- Destination: SS110, TX
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 11,944 total, 375 in this make and model, 8,244 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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