# NTSB FTW83FA430: MBB BO-105S, N3456T, Grand Chenier, LA, September 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1983, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Grand Chenier, LA
- Coordinates: 30.230295, -92.500068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2303&lon=-92.5001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA430
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA430

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM AT 1510 FOR A 13 MIN FLT TO GRAND CHENIER. ON 9/20 THE WRECKAGE WAS RECOVERED FROM THE FLOOR OF THE GULF. THE BOTTOM LEFT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF HIGH IMPACT FORCES WITH THE WATER. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3456T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3456T-1983-12-08), registration cancelled 1983-12-08, S/N S420 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB BO-105S
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-boelkow-blohm-bo-105s) (registry code 5626006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 420
- Airframe hours: 1109
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tenneco, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1983
- Departed: W. CAM. BLK 192, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,492 total, 407 in this make and model, 6,789 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 32 nm away

## 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 19830915049309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830915049309A), Sep 15, 1983: Bolkms BO105S, Grand Chenier, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Helicopter crashed in gulf. Pilots blood alcohol level was high. Exact cause of impact with the water unknown.

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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