# NTSB FTW87LA057: Bell 206L-1, N5012Z, Matagorda 665, February 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1987, 08:47 local (14:47 UTC)
- Place: Matagorda 665
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA057

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation
  - equipment,other - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF FM AN OFF-SHORE OIL PLATFORM WITH 3 PAX ON BOARD. SHORTLY AFTER DEPG, HE TRANSMITTED A 'MAYDAY,'  BUT DID NOT STATE THE NATURE OF THE EMERG. A PAX RPRTD THAT THE ENG SOUND CHANGED & THE PLT TOLD HIM TO 'GET THE RAFT OUT.' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED IN ROUGH WTR & SANK. A SHRIMP BOAT ARRIVED IN ABOUT 30 TO 40 MIN & ALL OCCUPANTS OF THE HELICOPTER WERE RETRIEVED. LATER, THE PLT & 1 PAX DIED FROM INJURIES. THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT RECOVERED, BUT A FLOAT INFLATION BOTTLE WAS FOUND; THE BOTTLE WAS FULLY CHARGED & THE SQUIB HAD NOT BEEN FIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5012Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5012Z-1989-08-07), registration cancelled 1989-08-07, S/N 45198 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45198
- Airframe hours: 4901
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Logistics
- Registered owner: Wells Fargo Leasing Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1986, 90 hours before
- Departed: MATAGORDA 665, GM
- Destination: TS73, ROCKPORT, TX
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,387 total, 2,219 in this make and model, 6,245 as pilot in command, 176 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 50 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 19870205001779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870205001779A), Feb 5, 1987: Bell 206L1, Rockport, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot called mayday shortly after leaving platform. Hit water hard in upright position and sank. Severed tail boom.

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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