# NTSB FTW84LA154: Bell 206L-1, N27798, Intracstl City, LA, March 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1984, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Intracstl City, LA
- Coordinates: 29.970273, -92.120315 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9703&lon=-92.1203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH MARSH TERRAIN WHILE SPOTTING DEAD ALLIGATORS. THE PLT DOES NOT REMEMBER EVENTS OF THE ACCIDENT. THE HELICOPTER OPERATOR STATED THE HELICOPTER APPEARED TO HAVE IMPACTED AT A LOW AIRSPEED AT A NORMAL RPM. THE EMERGEMCY FLOATS WERE NOT ACTIVATED NOR ARMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27798](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27798-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N 45330 (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: 45330
- Airframe hours: 5384
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Comm Helicopters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 2, 1984
- Departed: VRMLON BLK 310, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 7,700 as pilot in command, 149 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 50 nm away

## 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 19840303005179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840303005179A), Mar 3, 1984: Bell 206L1, Intercoastal, LA, Substantial damage. Struck the water while alligator spotting just above the surface in a gusty wind. Action was unauthorized by owner.

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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