# NTSB FTW87LA194: Bell 206L-1, N5000Y, Eugene Island, August 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1987, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Eugene Island
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA194

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - congested (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - misc rotorcraft,emergency floatation gear - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - misc rotorcraft,emergency floatation gear - undetermined (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKE DURING TAKEOFF FROM AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM. THE ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE UNDERSIDE OF A CABLE RACEWAY ON A DRILLING RIG THAT WAS SITUATED ADJACENT TO THE PLATFORM HELIDECK. THE RACEWAY WAS 9 FEET LATERALLY AND 22 FEET ABOVE THE HELIDECK EDGE. PLT HAD LANDED ON THE HELIDECK WHILE ANOTHER ACFT WAS PARKED ON THE DECK REQUIRING ACCIDENT PLT TO MAKE AN APP TO A HOVER THEN SLIDE SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE PAD AND SET DOWN WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES UNDER LAPPING THE BOTOM OF THE JACK UP DRILLING PLATFORM. AFTER LIFTOFF TO A HOVER, THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TRANSITION TO FWD FLT WHEN THE ROTOR STRIKE OCCURRED. FOLLOWING THE STRIKE, HE ATTEMPTED TO INFLATE. OPR'S SOP CALLS FOR MINIMUM OF 1/3 ROTOR DISC CLEARANCE FROM ALL OBSTACLES DURING T/O AND LNDG. THIS CLEARANCE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH ONE ACFT ALREADY PARKED ON THE HELIDECK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5000Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5000Y-2006-05-24), registration cancelled 2006-05-24, S/N 45160, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45160
- Airframe hours: 10482
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters,Inc.
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GM
- Destination: EL85, EUGENE IS.85, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Eugene Island

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,502 total, 3,059 in this make and model, 5,390 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: S198

## 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 19870810043909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870810043909A), Aug 10, 1987: Bell 206L1, Eugene Island, LA, Destroyed. The rotor hit an overhead structure on takeoff from an oil rig. The pilot failed to follow company landing rules.

## Other investigations on N5000Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW81DA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DA081), Apr 25, 1981: Bell 206L-1 (N5000Y), Leeville, LA, substantial damage

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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