# NTSB FTW84LA378: Bell 206B, N4830, Houma, LA, September 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1984, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.789772, -90.819046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7898&lon=-90.8190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA378
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA378

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- Fire, other
  - fuselage - burned

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A CARGO, NON SCHEDULED AIR TAXI FLIGHT WHEN THE PLT SMELLED SMOKE. A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE ON A BEACH AFTER WHICH THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4830](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4830-2012-09-20), registration cancelled 2012-09-20, S/N 1358, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1358
- Airframe hours: 4822
- Engines: Detr. Diesel 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Commercial Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 23, 1984, 29 hours before
- Departed: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Destination: ABK, VERMILLION 39, GM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,245 total, 2,752 in this make and model, 4,102 as pilot in command, 184 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °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 19840904046899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840904046899A), Sep 4, 1984: Bell 206B, Morgan City, LA, Destroyed. Fire broke out in cabin in the vicinity of aircraft battery cables. Aircraft burned after emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N4830 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW79DRD44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRD44), Jun 17, 1979: Bell 206B (N4830), Bell Rose, LA, substantial damage

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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