DFW07IA018

Prior to the helicopter's departure from an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico, two passengers loaded the helicopter's baggage compartment with two small duffel bags and a backpack. After arriving at the helicopter's base approximately 35 minutes later, they went to the rear of the helicopter where they noticed smoke coming from the baggage compartment. A fire in the compartment was quickly extinguished. Both passengers reported that they had smelled something burning before leaving the oil platform, but were told the coastal marsh is burnt every year and the smell is noticed from the platforms. The passenger's baggage contained two handheld radios that were sent to the National Transportation Safety Boards Material fire laboratory in Washington, D.C., for examination. Examination of the radios failed to identify any anomalies, and a source for the fire could not be determined.

On October 6, 2006, approximately 1345 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206-L4 helicopter, N266AL, registered to and operated by Air Logistics, LCC, of New Iberia, Louisiana, experienced a baggage compartment fire after landing. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand air-taxi flight. The flight departed from an offshore oil platform, Vermillion 156 (VE 156), located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 35 minutes prior to it's arrival at the company's intra-coastal base located near Abbeville, Louisiana.

Both passengers reported they loaded the helicopter's baggage compartment with two small duffel bags and a backpack, prior to departing the platform. After arriving at the helicopter's base in Abbeville, they exited the helicopter and proceeded to the rear of the helicopter when they noticed smoke coming from the baggage compartment. When the pilot opened the compartment door, flames came out of the baggage area. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the helicopter received minor fire damage.

In a post incident interview, both passengers stated that they smelled something burning before leaving VE 156, but they were told the coastal marsh is burnt every year, and the smell is noticed from the coastal platforms.

The passengers baggage was inventoried and two Motorola radios were identified and sent to the National Transportation Safety Boards Material fire laboratory in Washington, D.C. for further examination.

Examination of the radios failed to identify any anomalies, and a source for the fire could not be determined.