# NTSB FTW87FA007: Bell 206B, N5741K, Mustang Island, November 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1986, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Mustang Island
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA007

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,fuel control - leak (cause)
  - bleed air system,sensitive valve - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. THE PLT HELD COLLECTIVE TO CLEAR THE RIG AND THEN POPPED THE FLOATS AND AUTOROTATED TO THE WATER. THE AUTO WAS SUCCESSFUL, HOWEVER, THE ACFT WAS STRUCK BY A 5' WAVE AND ROLLED OVER. BOTH OCCUPANTS EGRESSED WITHOUT PROBLEM AND THE PAX SWAM TO THE RIG. THE PLT INFLATED HIS LIFE VEST AND WAS SWEPT AWAY BY THE CURRENT AND SWAM ASHORE 14 HOURS LATER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE PRESSURE (PC) LINE WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE BACK OF THE ENG FUEL CONTROL. A LEAK OR SEPARATION OF THE PC LINE WOULD CAUSE THE FUEL SCHEDULE TO REDUCE ENG SPEED TO BELOW FLT IDLE. NO RECENT MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE FUEL CONTROL OR THE LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5741K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5741K-1989-08-24), registration cancelled 1989-08-24, S/N 3047 (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: 3047
- Airframe hours: 3119
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Pumpkin Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 4, 1986, 23 hours before
- Departed: 772
- Destination: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,441 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 6,291 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 25 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).

- [Incident 19861101080479I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861101080479I), Nov 1, 1986: Bell 206B, Corpus Christi, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed after liftoff from oil platform. After emergency landing aircraft inverted in water.

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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