# NTSB FTW84LA116: Bell 206L-1, N5759M, Vencie, LA, January 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1984, 17:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Vencie, LA
- Coordinates: 29.270359, -89.350807 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2704&lon=-89.3508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA116

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE TOOK OFF FROM A CAME SITE TO PICK UP DUCK HUNTERS AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS. DURING THE FLT, HE ENCOUNTERED FOG & TURNED TOWARD VENICE, LA TO LAND. HE THEN SAW AN OIL FIELD STRUCTURE & SOME LAND & ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. WHILE MAKING AN OVER WATER APCH, HE WAS LOOKING AT THE OIL FIELD STRUCTURE & THE BANK WHEN THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN THE WATER & ROLLED OVER. THE OCCUPANTS WERE RESCUED BY DUCK HUNTERS IN THE AREA. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 300 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5759M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5759M-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 45555 (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)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45555
- Airframe hours: 802
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Halter Yachts Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 30, 1983, 85 hours before
- Departed: VENICE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 11,305 total, 555 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19840113000729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840113000729A), Jan 13, 1984: Bell 206L1, Venice, LA, Substantial damage. Encountered dense fog. Tried to land on a levee. Struck the water at 30 mph and rolled over. Helicopter sank.

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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