# NTSB FTW03LA106: Eurocopter AS350B2, N945PT, Venice, LA, March 6, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 2003, 07:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Venice, LA - Coordinates: 29.433332, -89.459442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4333&lon=-89.4594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 5 minor - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56591/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA106 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control following a loss of tail rotor drive. A contributing factor was the fog. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - rotor system,tail rotor - not engaged (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter impacted water while maneuvering in a turn. The 16,000-hour pilot stated that a weather brief was obtained prior to departure, and the weather reported at Venice, Louisiana, near the intended destination was 2 1/2 statute miles visibility, with increasing visibilities and sky conditions improving. At approximately 0715 and 40 nautical miles northwest Boothville, Louisiana, deteriorating weather conditions developed. The pilot elected to execute a right turn and descend to an altitude where weather conditions were better, and sight of water was evident. At a slow rate of speed "estimated no faster than a walk," the tail rotor struck the water. The aircraft yawed to the left and a ditching maneuver was entered while close to the water at a slow speed. The aircraft impacted the water on its left side and immediately filled with water. Weather conditions at NEW at 0653 were reported as winds calm, visibility 1/2 statute mile, ceiling indefinite at 100 feet, and fog. Weather conditions at Boothville, Louisiana (BVE), 40 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 0751, were reported as winds from 180 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 1/4 statute mile, ceiling indefinite at 100 feet, and fog. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2003, at 0720 central standard time, an Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopter, N945PT, was destroyed upon impact with water following a loss of directional control while maneuvering in the vicinity of Venice, Louisiana. The helicopter was registered to the Bank One Leasing Corporation of Columbus, Ohio, and operated by Taylor Energy Company of New Orleans, Louisiana. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot and four passengers sustained minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The flight originated from the Lakefront Airport (NEW), near New Orleans, Louisiana, approximately 0655, and was destined for the Mississippi Canyon 20 platform located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 6 nautical miles of Boothville, Louisiana. The 16,000-hour pilot, who reported having accumulated 1,200 hours in the accident aircraft, reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that a weather brief was obtained prior to departure, and the weather reported at Venice, Louisiana, near the intended destination was 2 1/2 statute miles visibility, with increasing visibilities and sky conditions improving. Approximately 0715 and 40 nautical miles northwest Boothville, Louisiana, deteriorating weather conditions developed. The pilot elected to execute a right turn and descend to an altitude where weather conditions were better, and sight of water was evident. At a slow rate of speed "estimated no faster than a walk," the tail rotor struck the water. The aircraft yawed to the left and a ditching maneuver was entered while close to the water at a slow speed. The aircraft impacted the water on its left side and immediately filled with water. The pilot and passengers egressed through the top of the helicopter. The use of a hand-held marine radio aided in the search and rescue. The flares onboard the aircraft did not work, and the raft could not be located due to the aircraft resting in an upside-down position. All occupants were rescued by units of the United States Coast Guard approximately 50 to 80 minutes after they entered the water. Weather conditions at NEW at 0653 were reported as winds calm, visibility 1/2 statute mile, ceiling indefinite at 100 feet, and fog. Weather conditions at Boothville, Louisiana (BVE), 40 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 0751, were reported as winds from 180 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 1/4 statute mile, ceiling indefinite at 100 feet, and fog. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N945PT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N945PT-2009-07-13), registration cancelled 2009-07-13, S/N 2848, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Eurocopter AS350B2 - Registry model: [Eurocopter AS 350 B2 ECUREUIL](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2-ecureuil) (registry code 8680951) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2848 - Engines: Turbomeca Arriel 1d1 750 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Taylor Energy Company - Registered owner: Bank One Leasing Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NEW, New Orleans, LA - Destination: GOM, MS Canyon 20, GM - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 15, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 16,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft indefinitevv - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg ## 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 20030306008599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030306008599A), Mar 6, 2003: Snias AS350B2, Venice, LA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot departed new for a flight to an oil platform. Obtained a special clearance due to the weather being below VMC. Proceeded VFR toward the platform.… 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.