# NTSB FTW86LRD05: Bell BH206L-1, N2653, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, January 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1986, 13:57 local (19:57 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico, LA
- Coordinates: 29.580181, -90.810905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5802&lon=-90.8109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LRD05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LRD05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - tail rotor/anti-torque control - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO FROM A 100 FT AGL HOVER AFTER THE PLT LOST YAW CONTROL DOWNWIND OF AN OFFSHORE OIL PLATFORM IN 35 KT WINDS. AS THE ACFT CAME TO A HOVER IT BEGAN A TURN TO THE RIGHT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS HEADED INTO THE WIND. FULL LEFT PEDAL DID NOT STOP THE SPIN ACCORDING TO THE PILOT WHO TRIED TO FLY AWAY RATHER THAN AUTOROTATE INTO 10 FT SEAS. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SPIN AND THEN LOST ALT TO WATER CONTACT WHERE IT ROLLED AND STARTED TO SINK. THE PILOT ESCAPED THROUGH THE BROKEN WINDSHIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2653 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL BH206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 4530
- Airframe hours: 6680
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mobil Oil E&P Southeast Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 31, 1985, 80 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,245 total, 4,273 in this make and model, 9,028 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 35 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °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 19860109000449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860109000449A), Jan 9, 1986: Bell 206L1, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Substantial damage. Lost yaw control during hover in high winds. Rotational descent into Gulf and immediately sank.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.