# NTSB FTW83FA017: Bell 206B, N55AL, Gulf Of Mexico, October 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1982, 10:12 local (15:12 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

N55AL HAD DEPARTED VERMILLION BLOCK 84 AT ABOUT 0956 ENROUTE TO VERMILLION BLOCK 39 WITH AN ETA OF 1010. THE PLT CALLED AT ABOUT 1011 STATING HE WOULD BE LANDING IN ABOUT 1 MINUTE. N9914K HAD DEPARTED VERMILLION BLOCK 64 AT ABOUT 1010 ENROUTE TO VERMILLION BLOCK 60. THE COLLISION OCCURRED ABOUT 24 MI SW OF INTERCOASTAL CITY, LA.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N55AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55AL-1983-12-02), registration cancelled 1983-12-02, S/N 1397 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1397
- Airframe hours: 6943
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Logistics
- Registered owner: Air Logistics
- Departed: VERMILLION BLOC, GM
- Destination: VERMILLION BLOC, GM
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N9914K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9914K-1985-02-20), registration cancelled 1985-02-20, S/N 1933 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1933
- Airframe hours: 7557
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Departed: VERMILLION BLOC, GM
- Destination: VERMILLION BLOC, GM
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N55AL; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,873 total, 1,673 in this make and model, 1,808 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N9914K; age 28; commercial; medical: class 2, unknown; flight hours: 2,008 total, 434 in this make and model, 1,508 as pilot in command, 238 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 178 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821018053491A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821018053491A), Oct 18, 1982: Bell 206B, Intracoastal Ci, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On approach to an oil rig platform, collided with N991RK that was climbing out from same platform. No witnesses
- [Accident 19821018053492A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821018053492A), Oct 18, 1982: Bell 206B, Intracoastal Ci, LA, Destroyed. On climbout from an oil rig platform, collided with N55AL that was on approach to same platform. No witnesses.

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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