# NTSB FTW86LA047: Bell 206BIII, N3181Y, Gulf Of Mexico, March 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1986, 12:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - loss,total (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO ASSURE THE CABIN DOOR WAS PROPERLY CLOSED BEFORE FLIGHT, OR THE CABIN DOOR JUST POPPED OPEN DURING FLIGHT, ALLOWING AN UNSECURED LIFE VEST TO BLOW OUT THE DOOR AND INTO THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES. THIS RESULTED IN THE ENTIRE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY DEPARTING THE HELICOPTER. A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY AUTOROTATION INTO THE WATER WAS CONDUCTED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NORMAL OPERATION OF THE CABIN DOOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3181Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BIII
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3772
- Airframe hours: 2931
- Engines: ALLISON 250C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Petrolium Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 21, 1986, 16 hours before
- Departed: ST-172, GM
- Destination: ST-26, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,152 total, 3,182 in this make and model, 4,822 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860326011129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860326011129A), Mar 26, 1986: Bell 206B, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Substantial damage. Door came open, lifejacket flew out, hit tail rotor. Tail rotor assembly separated. Landed safely. Door latch ok.

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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