# NTSB FTW87LA016: Bell 206L, N16772, Galveston, TX, November 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1986, 09:16 local (15:16 UTC)
- Place: Galveston, TX
- Location: 29.2653° N, 94.8604° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SCHOLES INTL AT GALVESTON (GLS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2653&lon=-94.8604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22299
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22299/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO HOVER IN A TAILWIND OF 35 KTS WHICH EXCEEDED THE ACFT MANUFACTURERS PERFORMANCE LIMITIATIONS FOR OPERATIONS IN ALLOWABLE RELATIVE WIND. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT ON LIFT-OFF. THE ACFT ROLLED OVER AND CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16772](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16772-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 45100, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L
- Registry model: [Bell 206L](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l) (registry code 1181522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 400HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (registry code 03013, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45100
- Airframe hours: 8856
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 250 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopter Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 29, 1986, 22 hours before
- Departed: GLS, GALVESTON, TX
- Airport: GLS, Scholes Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 12,219 total, 3,388 in this make and model, 11,989 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 22 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLS

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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