# NTSB FTW83LA369: Bell 206B, N39114, Grand Isle Blk, August 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1983, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Grand Isle Blk
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA369
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA369

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - failure,partial (cause)
  - rotor system - vibration
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE FLARING TO LAND ON AN OFF-SHORE PLATFORM, THE PLT NOTED A SUDDEN VIBRATION. HE CONTINUED THE LANDING; HOWEVER, BY THE TIME THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN, THE VIBRATION BECAME SEVERE & THE ACFT TURNED TO THE RIGHT. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT A MIDSPAN BALANCE WEIGHT HAD SEPARATED FROM A MAIN ROTOR BLADE, PN 206-010-200-33. WHILE REACTING TO THE EMERGENCY, THE BOTTOM VERTICAL FIN CONTACTED THE EDGE OF THE PLATFORM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39114](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39114-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 3293, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 317HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-317hp) (registry code 03011, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3293
- Airframe hours: 2774
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chevron U.S.A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 8, 1982
- Departed: LEEVILLE, LA
- Destination: OFFSHORE, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Charlie Oscar

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,706 total, 1,826 in this make and model, 170 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830804044999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830804044999A), Aug 4, 1983: Bell 206B, Grand Isle, LA, Substantial damage. Vibration occurred on flare for heliport landing struck vertical fin on deck. Tell tail main rotor weight seperated

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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