# NTSB FTW86LA169: Bell 206B, N16978, Eugene Island, September 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1986, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Eugene Island
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - tie down - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, hover
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER PILOT ENGAGED IN OFF-SHORE FLIGHT OPERATIONS FAILED TO REMOVE AIRCRAFT TIE-DOWN LINES PRIOR TO TAKE OFF FROM THE OIL RIG. PILOT LOST CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT IN A HOVER CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO COLLIDE WITH A METAL SAFETY NET AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BOOM OF A CRANE. TAIL SECTION OF AIRCRAFT SEPARATED AND LODGED IN CRANE BOOM. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER INVERTED AND SANK. AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED. PILOT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. HOWEVER, ONE COMPANY EMPLOYEE LOCATED IN NEAR-BY BUNKHOUSE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N16978 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2378
- Airframe hours: 9852
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 370 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 27, 1985, 57 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,983 total, 2,943 in this make and model, 2,983 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HUM, 95 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 19860919045589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860919045589A), Sep 19, 1986: Bell 206B, Amelia, LA, Destroyed. Pilot neglected to remove skid tiedown. Loss of control occurred when aircraft attempted to liftoff.

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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