# NTSB FTW84LA118: Bell 206L-1, N5745M, Venice, LA, January 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1984, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Venice, LA
- Coordinates: 29.270828, -89.349555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2708&lon=-89.3496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 6 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21248
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21248/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA118

## 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)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER DEPARTING AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED AN AREA OF FOG. HE DESCENDED TO APRX 200 FT, SLOWED TO 40 KTS & STARTED TURNING BACK. AS HE WAS TURNING, HE WAS LOOKING TO THE RIGHT TO LOCATE A PETROLEUM PRODUCTION FACILITY TO USE AS A REFERENCE POINT WHEN THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE WATER & CRASHED. NO SERIOUS INJURIES OCCURRED, BUT RESCUE WAS DELAYED ABOUT 5 HRS DUE TO DETERIORATING WX.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5745M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5745M-1985-01-16), registration cancelled 1985-01-16, S/N 45488 (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
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters Inc
- Departed: MAIN PASS BLK77, GM
- Destination: VENICE, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 11,881 total, 1,867 in this make and model, 143 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °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 19840124029099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840124029099A), Jan 24, 1984: Bell 206L1, Venice, LA, Destroyed. Lost control after entering a fog bank and trying to turn back. Helicopter impacted into a marsh.

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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