# NTSB FTW87LA165: Bell 206L-1, N5734S, Venice, LA, July 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1987, 06:43 local (11:43 UTC)
- Place: Venice, LA
- Coordinates: 29.270812, -89.350143 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2708&lon=-89.3501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS REPOSITIONING THE AIRCRAFT AFTER A PHASE IV INSPECTION. THE AIRCRAFT LIFTED OFF THE PAD AND MADE SEVERAL CLOCKWISE REVOLUTIONS, DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL, IMPACTED THE GROUND AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE NUMBER 1 TAIL ROTOR DRIVESHAFT HAD NOT BEEN RECONNECTED AFTER INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5734S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5734S-2000-08-31), registration cancelled 2000-08-31, S/N 45455 (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: 045455
- Airframe hours: 7004
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Offshore Logistics
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 8, 1987, 45 hours before
- Airport: 3V8, Venice Heliport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 13,023 total, 1,246 in this make and model, 11,257 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870709032939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870709032939A), Jul 9, 1987: Bell 206L1, Venice, LA, Substantial damage. Picked up aircraft to hover had no tailrotor control. Rotated three times tail. Rotor shaft not connected.

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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