# NTSB FTW82DA127: Bell 206B, N41AL, West Delta 105d, April 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1982, 17:27 local (23:27 UTC)
- Place: West Delta 105d
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ON TAKEOFF FROM AN OIL RIG HELIDECK, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION AREA AND NOTICED A CHANGE IN ENGINE NOISE. HE MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT AWAY FROM THE OIL RIG, INFLATED THE POP OUT FLOATS AND AUTOROTATED TO THE WATER. ON IMPACT THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT SANK WHILE BEING TOWED TO THE OIL RIG FOR RECOVERY. THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N41AL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 917
- Airframe hours: 11409
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Air Logistics
- Registered owner: The N41al Partnership
- Departed: WEST DELTA 105D, GM
- Destination: WEST DELTA 105D, GM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,623 total, 1,609 in this make and model, 5,586 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Observed at: 105D

## 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 19820413009289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820413009289A), Apr 13, 1982: Bell 206B, Venice, LA, Destroyed. Helicopter departing oil rig,had main rotor transmission problem. Ditched in gulf. Chopper sank and wasn't recovered.

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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