# NTSB FTW85LA089: Bell 206L-1, N1075Y, Houma, LA, December 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1984, 07:39 local (13:39 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.580661, -90.810752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5807&lon=-90.8108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21651/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA089

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED INTO KNOWN BAD WX WITH LOW CEILINGS AND POOR VISIBILITY. VERY SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. DURING A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN THE PLT BROKE OUT OF IMC AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE. HE PULLEDCOLLECTIVE BUT STILL LANDED HARD IN UNIMPROVED TERRAIN OFF THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1075Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1075Y), registered now, S/N 45378, built 1980 (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)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45378
- Airframe hours: 6049
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Logistics Inc.
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 3, 1984, 71 hours before
- Departed: HUM, HOUMA, LA
- Destination: SHIP SHOAL 134, GM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,740 total, 6 in this make and model, 2,647 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUM, 1 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 19841228069039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841228069039A), Dec 28, 1984: Bell 206L1, Houma, LA, Substantial damage. Started up through fog but descended after conditions worsened. Made a hard landing in an open field.

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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