# NTSB FTW88DRD10: Bell 206L-1, N2611, Houma, LA, June 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1988, 13:03 local (18:03 UTC)
- Place: Houma, LA
- Coordinates: 29.579113, -90.810401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5791&lon=-90.8104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRD10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD10

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,fuel control - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AT 300 FEET. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING IN A WET SWAMPY AREA WITH VERY HIGH VEGETATION, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE TAILBOOM. AT A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION, THE OPERATOR RAN THE ENGINE WITHOUT ANY MALFUNCTION. THE AIRFRAME FUEL FILTER WAS CHECKED AND NO CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND. THE OPERATOR DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE PNEUMATIC SYSTEM AND FOUND APPROXIMATELY 10 CUBIC CENTIMETERS OF WATER IN THE PC FILTER AND FUEL CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2611](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2611), registered now, S/N 45417, built 1980 (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-C28 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c28-series) (registry code 03022, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45417
- Airframe hours: 8778
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mobil Oil And Southeast, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1988, 5 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 17,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 16,500 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW, 62 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 19880627027319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880627027319A), Jun 27, 1988: Bell 206L1, Houma, LA, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Autorotated to a hard landing chopping off tailboom. Found water in fuel control unit.

## Other investigations on N2611 (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 CEN25FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA281), Jul 23, 2025: Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 (N2611), Thibodaux, LA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance to powerlines during an agricultural application pass.

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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