# NTSB FTW80FA100: Bell 205A-1, N95AL, Houma, LA, August 6, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 6, 1980
- Place: Houma, LA · HOUMA, LA
- Location: 29.5786° N, 90.7079° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houma, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5786&lon=-90.7079&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 13 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 17, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129664
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FA100
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA100

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2206   80/8/6    HOUMA,LA            BELL 205A-1         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 2034
        TIME - 1740                    N95AL               PX- 12  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 992 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          OIL PLATFORM SS-224         HOUMA,LA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - FLIGHT AND NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS: ATTITUDE GYRO
           INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - FLIGHT AND NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS: BANK AND TURN
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  2000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          BLOWING SAND                                              85
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          115                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- COMPANY PLT STATED N95AL HAD NO WINDSHIELD WIPERS,UNRELIABLE ATTITUDE INDICATOR & INOP TURN NEEDLE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95AL-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 30203, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 205A-1
- 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

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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