# NTSB FTW83LA132: Bell 206L-1, N1076S, Shipshoal 295, March 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1983, 10:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Shipshoal 295
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA132

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE WINDS WERE VARIABLE A 2 TO 4 KTS AS THE PLT BEGAN HIS APPROACH TO AN OFF-SHORE OIL RIG. HE STATED THAT HE CHOSE TO TERMINATE THE LANDING FROM A 4 FT HOVER. AT APRX 15 FT ABOVE & 5 FT SHORT OF THE HELIPAD, THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DROP AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE APPLIED COLLECTIVE, BUT THE ACFT FELL THROUGH & HE WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE FALL. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED INITIALLY ON THE FLAT SAFETY NET SHORT OF THE HELIPAD. IT THEN TURNED 180 DEG & BOUNCED ONTO THE HELIPAD. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WAS FOUND DURING A TEARDOWN. REPORTEDLY, THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO SETTLE WITH POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1076S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1076S-2014-09-08), registration cancelled 2014-09-08, S/N 45372, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45372
- Airframe hours: 2891
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 15, 1983, 51 hours before
- Departed: SHIPSHOAL 246, GM
- Destination: SHIPSHOAL 295, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Shipshoal 295

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,487 total, 478 in this make and model, 1,182 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 1

## 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 19830301005699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830301005699A), Mar 1, 1983: Bell 206L1, Shipshoal, Substantial damage. Developed high sink rate on final. Helicopter struck safety fence and bounced onto helipad. No mechanical defects.

## Other investigations on N1076S (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW82DA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA013), Oct 19, 1981: Bell 206L-1 (N1076S), Sabine, TX, substantial damage

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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