# NTSB FTW84LA105: Bell 206B III, N2145C, Vermillion 255b, December 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1983, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Vermillion 255b
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA105

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - procedures/directives - not followed, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE WAITING FOR PASSENGERS TO BOARD THE HELICOPTER THE PLT HEARD AND FELT SOMETHING HIT THE TAIL ROTOR. THE ENG WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN AND IT WAS REVEALED THAT A PASSENGER HAD WALKED INTO THE TAIL ROTOR. THE PASSENGER WAS WAS WELL EXPERIENCED IN HELICOPTER OPERATION AT THE SITE AND HAD NOT FOLLOWED ESTABLISHED WALKWAYS TO THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2145C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3456
- Airframe hours: 1618
- Engines: ALLISON 250C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,109 total, 979 in this make and model, 3,541 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °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 19831228074359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831228074359A), Dec 28, 1983: Bell 206B3, Vermillion, LA, Minor damage. Boarding passenger walked into idling tail rotor. Pilot did not note passenger walking to rear of helicopter.

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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