# NTSB FTW87LA220: Bell 206B, N2206F, Gulf Of Mexico, September 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1987, 13:49 local (18:49 UTC)
- Place: Gulf Of Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA220

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

WHILE DEPARTING FROM AN OFF-SHORE OIL PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, THE HELICOPTER ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION & MADE A MAYDAY CALL, BUT DID NOT GET THE EMERG FLOATS INFLATED BEFORE TOUCHING DOWN IN THE WATER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER SANK & WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2206F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2206F-1992-02-21), registration cancelled 1992-02-21, S/N 3525 (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: 3525
- Airframe hours: 6452
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 22, 1987, 66 hours before
- Departed: GM
- Destination: GM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 16,898 total, 2,729 in this make and model, 11,772 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- 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 19870916053229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870916053229A), Sep 16, 1987: Bell 206B, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Destroyed. Engine quit on departing an oil rig platform. Did not extend floats, crashed into water and sank. Pilot rescued.

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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