# NTSB FTW82FA041: Bell Helicopter 206L-1, N1081H, Houma, LA, January 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1982, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.580938, -90.809692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5809&lon=-90.8097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA041

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ENROUTE TO THE SHIP SHOAL AREA IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. ANOTHER PLT WHO DEPARTED EARLIER ADVISED THE PLT THAT HE & ANOTHER ACFT HAD TURNED AROUND & WAS RETURNING AFTER ENCOUNTERING A LOW CEILING & REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE SURVIVING PAX STATED THAT THE ACFT DEPARTED SOUTHWEST CLIMBING TO ABOUT 400 FT. AS THE ACFT GOT CLOSER TO THE EDGE OF THE GULF HE COULD SEE THICKER HAZE, FOGGY LAND & THE ACFT DROPPED DOWN TO ABOUT 200 FT. IT WOULD BE CLEAR THEN OBSCURED & HE COULD NOT SEE THE GROUND. 45 SEC TO 1 MIN LATER HE COULD ONLY SEE WHITE OUT OF THE COCKPIT. NEXT HE WAS TUMBLING IN THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1081H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1081H-1983-07-22), registration cancelled 1983-07-22, S/N 45406 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL HELICOPTER 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: 45406
- Airframe hours: 1795
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Offshore Logistics
- Registered owner: Offshore Logistics
- Departed: HOUMA, LA
- Destination: HOUMA, LA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 13,982 total, 986 in this make and model, 13,104 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 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 19820116001089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820116001089A), Jan 16, 1982: Bell 206L1, Houma, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into near zero visibility in fog. Struck water in a lake while starting a turn around. Not advised of poor wx.

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.