# NTSB FTW00LA161: Bell 206B, N7817S, Cocodrie, LA, May 31, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2000, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Cocodrie, LA - Coordinates: 29.439882, -90.589248 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4399&lon=-90.5892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 10, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49322 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49322/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA161 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the platform's safety fence during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, takeoff - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - entangled - object - airport facility - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis As the helicopter began to takeoff from the oil platform, its nose pitched up. Subsequently, the helicopter fell off the right side of the platform, dropping 25 feet onto two crew boats that were tied to the platform's boat dock. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. Examination of the platform revealed that the helicopter's tail stinger became entangled with the safety fence. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2000, at 0930 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N7817S, was substantially damaged when it rolled over while attempting to takeoff from Parker Rig 51B platform located near Cocodrie, Louisiana. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Panther Helicopters, Inc., of Belle Chasse, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 nonscheduled air taxi flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and the intended destination was Belle Chasse, Louisiana. According to the operator, as the helicopter began to takeoff from the platform, its nose pitched up. Subsequently, the helicopter fell off the right side of the platform, dropping 25 feet onto two crew boats that were tied to the platform's boat dock. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. Examination of the platform by the FAA inspector revealed damage to the safety fence consistent with the helicopter's tail stinger having been caught in the fence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7817S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7817S-2017-10-31), registration cancelled 2017-10-31, S/N 17 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 17 - Airframe hours: 9905 - Engines: Allison 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 2000, 9 hours before - Destination: NONE, BELLE CHASSE, LA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 51B, Parker Rig ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 6,800 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HUM, 20 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 20000531010959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000531010959A), May 31, 2000: Bell 206B, Cocodrie, LA, No damage. (-23) While repositioning for take off, heli tail stinger came into contact with safety apron and a/c pitched up with the application of power. At a near… ## Other investigations on N7817S (2) 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. - [NTSB ANC73FAD06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73FAD06), May 3, 1973: Bell 206A (N7817S), Juneau, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC68A0049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68A0049), May 27, 1968: Bell 206A (N7817S), Port Moller, AK, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.