# NTSB FTW83FA280: Bell 206B III, N5010U, Eugene Isl.Blk, June 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1983, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Eugene Isl.Blk
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA280

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS USED TO SHUTTLE PAX & SUPPLIES BETWEEN VARIOUS OIL DRILLING PLATFORMS & WAS EN ROUTE BETWEEN TWO ISLANDS WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WRECKAGE WAS SPOTTED 6 MILES WEST OF THE DESTINATION ISLAND. ONLY THE PILOT'S BODY WAS RETRIEVED & 2 PAX WERE PRESUMED DROWNED. THERE WERE NO DISTRESS CALLS. SEAS WERE CALM & VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. REMAINING DEBRIS WAS INSUFFICIENT TO DETERMINE A CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5010U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2574
- Airframe hours: 3840
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C203 317 lbs thrust turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 11, 1983, 13 hours before
- Departed: SO. MARSH BLK, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,478 total, 509 in this make and model, 2,049 as pilot in command, 127 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830616026009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830616026009A), Jun 16, 1983: Bell 206B3, Eugene Island, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Helicopter crashed into gulf of Mexico for unknown reasons.

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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