# NTSB FTW86LA161: Bell 206L-1, N3905G, Grand Isle, August 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1986, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Grand Isle
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - turboshaft engine - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - none suitable (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO FOLLOWING A SUSPECTED ENG FAILURE SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF FROM AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE AT 40 KTS AND 200 FT ABOVE THE WATER, HE HEARD A LOUD SQUEAL FOLLOWED BY THE LOW RPM AUDIO AND A LOSS OF ENG POWER. HE ATTEMPTED TO INFLATE THE EMERGENCY FLOATS 2 OR 3 TIMES, BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE ACFT LANDED HARD ROLLED OVER AND SANK. THE PLT EXTRICATED HIMSELF AND SWAM BACK TO THE RIG WHERE HE WAS FOUND SEVERAL MINUTES LATER ON THE LOWER BOAT DECK. THE WRECKAGE SANK AND WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3905G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 4560
- Airframe hours: 12296
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 43AA, Grand Isle-43

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 8,468 total, 5,264 in this make and model, 8,441 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNI

## 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 19860830043719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860830043719A), Aug 30, 1986: Bell 206L1, Grand Isle, LA, Destroyed. The helicopter lost power during departure from an offshore oil rig. The pilot could not get the floats to inflate.

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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