# NTSB FTW84LA299: Bell 222UT, N222PV, E Brake Blk 397, July 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1984, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: E Brake Blk 397
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA299

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - loose objects (cause)
  - foreign object (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

WHILE IN A HOVERING APPROACH TO LAND ON THE DECK OF AN OIL PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO A PIECE OF PLASTIC SHEETING FLEW UP FROM THE PLATFORM INTO THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SLID IN TO A BUILDING ON THE DECK FOLLOWING A HOVERING AUTOROTATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N222PV (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 222UT
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 47510
- Airframe hours: 168
- Engines: LYCOMING LTS-101-750C1 684 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Pumpkin Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 2, 1984, 68 hours before
- Departed: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 74, Penrod

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,656 total, 19 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 100 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 19840703029849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840703029849A), Jul 3, 1984: Bell 222, Block 397, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was substantially damaged when plastic sheets blew into tail rotor during landing on oil platform.

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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