# NTSB FTW89LA021: Bell 206L-1, N2780W, Gulf-Of-Mexico (Gulf of Mexico), November 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1988, 13:19 local (19:19 UTC)
- Place: Gulf-Of-Mexico (Gulf of Mexico)
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22816
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22816/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA021

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE DURING THE FLARE RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach
  - turboshaft engine - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - initiated
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2780W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2780W-1991-04-18), registration cancelled 1991-04-18, S/N 45332 (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: 45332
- Airframe hours: 3310
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Houston Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 27, 1988, 66 hours before
- Departed: GULF-OF-MEXICO, OF
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 12,151 total, 1,151 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 151 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19881117051029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881117051029A), Nov 17, 1988: Bell 206L1, Gulf Of Mexico, TX, Substantial damage. Loud bang and engine quit made hard auto rotation float landing. Aircraft sank on recovery effort.

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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