# NTSB FTW83LA327: Bell 212, N16989, Eugene Island, July 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1983, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Eugene Island
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20969/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA327

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING AN APCH TO AN OFF-SHORE OIL WELL HELIPORT, THE PLT BELIEVED THE TAIL ROTOR WAS TOO CLOSE TO A STAIRWELL, SO HE MADE A PEDDLE TURN TO THE RIGHT. DURING THE TURN, THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED A CRANE. THE CRANE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 15 FT FROM THE HELIPORT. AFTER THE BLADE STRIKE, THE PLT MADE A HOVERING AUTOROTATION TO THE HELIPAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16989](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16989-1991-05-30), registration cancelled 1991-05-30, S/N 30901 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 212
- Registry model: [Bell 212](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-212) (registry code 1181420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 30901
- Airframe hours: 4538
- Engines: P&W PT6T-3TWINPAC 1290 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 17, 1983, 60 hours before
- Departed: MORGAN CITY, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 10,822 total, 1,467 in this make and model, 4,070 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °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 19830711029449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830711029449A), Jul 11, 1983: Bell 212, Eugene Island, LA, Substantial damage. Tailboom struck a crane while swinging tail in a hover to reposition helicopter on the landing pad.

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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