# NTSB FTW84LA166: Bell 206L-1, N1076N, W Camrn Blk 624, March 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1984, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: W Camrn Blk 624
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS BOARDED THE HELICOPTER IN AN ATTEMPT TO FLY OFF THE RIG BEFORE THE PASSAGE OF A SQUALL LINE. THE ACFT ENGINE WAS BEING STARTED WHEN THE ACFT WAS BLOWN OFF THE PLATFORM AND INTO THE WATER BY A GUST OF WIND. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE SEA 100 FT BELOW THE PLATFORM IN A TAIL FIRST ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1076N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45369
- Airframe hours: 4510
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-28 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 4, 1984, 19 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,045 total, 879 in this make and model, 2,288 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 25 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VER, 46 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 19840312058199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840312058199A), Mar 12, 1984: Bell 206L1, West Cameron, LA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Helicopter was blown off a oil rig platform and sank in the gulf. Pilot was trying to beat a squall on the takeoff.

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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