# NTSB FTW82DA055: Bell 206L-1, N2623, Gulf Of Mexico, February 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1982, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA055

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,skid assembly - foreign object (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED ON AN OIL RIG PLATFORM FOR REFUELING. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE TURNED INTO THE WIND AND TOOK OFF. AS THE HELICOPTER CLEARED THE PLATFORM, IT YAWED LEFT AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN. THE PILOT APPLIED COLLECTIVE TO CUSHION HIS LANDING AND DEPLOYED THE POP-OUT FLOATS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN FIVE FOOT SEAS, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED INVERTED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR. AFTER SOME DIFFICULTY, HE EGRESSED THROUGH ONE OF THE REAR DOORS. AN INSPECTION OF THE OIL RIG HELIDECK REVEALED THAT THE REFUELING HOSE WAS LYING OVER THE SIDE OF THE DECK AND THE HOSE NOZZLE WAS MISSING. BLUE PAINT WAS FOUND ON THE HOSE. THE SKIDS AND BOTTOM OF THE HELICOPTER WERE PAINTED WITH THE SAME SHADE OF BLUE PAINT. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2623](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2623-1984-10-26), registration cancelled 1984-10-26, S/N 45641 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45461
- Airframe hours: 763
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Mobil Oil
- Registered owner: Mobil Oil
- Departed: SS87, GULF OF MEXICO, GM
- Destination: SS87, GULF OF MEXICO, GM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SS87, Ship Shoal 87

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,320 total, 410 in this make and model, 6,889 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles

## 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 19820204021779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820204021779A), Feb 4, 1982: Bell 206L1, Ship Shoal 87, NM, Destroyed. Helicopter crashed during takeoff from platform. Investigation revealed refueling hose was not disconnected.

## Other investigations on N2623 (1)

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 FTW81FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA062), Apr 1, 1981: Bell 206L1 (N2623), Huntsville, TX, 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.

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