# NTSB FTW76AF087: Bell 205-A1, N8167J, Gulf Of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico), April 23, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 23, 1976
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico (Gulf of Mexico) · GULF OF MEXICO, GM
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 12 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 153627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW76AF087
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76AF087

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2324  76/4/23    GULF OF MEXICO      BELL 205-A1         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 47, 7206
        TIME - 0808                    N8167J              PX- 11  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 229 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CAMERON,LA                  WEST CAMERON 266
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: OTHER
           ROTORCRAFT - MISCELLANEOUS UNITS AND ASSEMBLIES: TAIL BOOMS/PYLONS/CONES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FATIGUE FRACTURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- TAIL BOOM/FUSELAGE ATTACH FITTINGS FAILED. PLT & 4 PAX NOT RECOVERED,PRESUMED FATAL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8167J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8167J-2022-08-19), registration cancelled 2022-08-19, S/N 30090, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 205-A1
- Registry model: [Bell 205A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-205a-1) (registry code 1181414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming T-53 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-t-53-series) (registry code 41552, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Engines: turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19760423027679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760423027679A), Apr 23, 1976: Bell 205A1, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Destroyed, 11 fatal. Tail boom/fuselage attach fittings failed. Plt & 4 pax not recovered,presumed fatal.

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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