# NTSB FTW89LA026: Bell 206B, N83109, Chalmette, LA, November 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1988, 12:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Chalmette, LA
- Coordinates: 29.940338, -89.960289 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9403&lon=-89.9603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA026

## Probable cause

THE RATED PILOT'S INADEQUATE TAKEOFF TECHNIQUE THE THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S MOMENTARY LACK OF JUDGEMENT IN HAVING THE PILOT ATTEMPT A HYDRAULICS OFF TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Roll over, takeoff
  - lift-off - improper, dual student (cause)
  - hydraulic system - disabled (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE RATED PILOT TO MAKE A HYDRAULICS-OFF TAKEOFF. THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED IN A FIXED FLOAT EQUIPPED HELICOPTER AND THE TAKEOFF WAS BEING ATTEMPTED FROM THE WATER. DURING THE TAKEOFF, THE RIGHT FLOAT LIFTED OFF FIRST AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED DYNAMIC ROLLOVER AND ROLLED LEFT, INVERTED IN THE WATER. HYDRAULICS-OFF TAKEOFFS ARE NOT NORMALLY PRACTICED FROM THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83109](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83109-1998-04-09), registration cancelled 1998-04-09, S/N 938 (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: 938
- Airframe hours: 16405
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chevron U.S.A, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 4, 1988, 49 hours before
- Departed: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Destination: NONE, CHALMETTE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,163 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 6,329 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW, 6 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 19881123051869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881123051869A), Nov 23, 1988: Bell 206B, Chaalmette, LA, Substantial damage. CFI turned off hydraulic control boost to show student control response on takeoff. Entered dynamic rollover.

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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