# NTSB FTW85LA360: Bell 206B, N305AL, North Padre 967, September 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1985, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: North Padre 967
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21858
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA360
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21858/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA360

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - pre-flight
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - disabled (cause)
- Ditching, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE HELICOTER WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF WITH A ROPE STILL ATTACHED TO THE FORWARD FUSELAGE TIEDOWN. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED DOWN AS THE TAIL LIFTED TO A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE PILOT INFLATED THE FLOATSBUT THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED INVERTED AFTER WATER IMPACT. HE ESCAPED AND SWAM TO A RAFT BUT HAD SUSTAINED BACK INJURY DURING THE IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N305AL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N305AL-2000-03-13), registration cancelled 2000-03-13, S/N 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 001968
- Airframe hours: 8628
- Engines: ALLISON 250 SER 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Logistics, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 5, 1985, 37 hours before
- Destination: NORTH PADRE 956, GM
- Airport: North Padre 967

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,118 total, 205 in this make and model, 1,523 as pilot in command, 187 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19850929048249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850929048249A), Sep 29, 1985: Bell 206B, North Padre, TX, Destroyed. Attempted takeoff from offshore rig with tiedown rope attached. Nosed down with blades striking deck, fell in gulf.

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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