# NTSB FTW90FA178: Bell B206LI, N882BT, Port O'Connor, TX, September 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1990, 07:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Port O'Connor, TX
- Coordinates: 28.44082, -96.490798 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4408&lon=-96.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA178

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY INTO THE KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AND THE WEATHER/LIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - poor, pilot in command
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED AT DAWN FOR A VFR FLIGHT FROM A COASTAL BASE EN ROUTE TO AN OFFSHORE OIL PLATFORM DURING IMC. THE CEILING WAS LOW AND RAIN SHOWERS WERE PASSING THROUGH THE AREA. AFTER THE HELICOPTER FLEW PAST THE SHORELINE IT PENETRATED A HEAVY RAIN SHOWER. THE PILOT DESCENDED THE HELICOPTER AND ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH A LIGHT ON AN OIL PLATFORM LOCATED IN HIS LINE OF SIGHT. THE RIGHT SKID DIPPED INTO THE WATER AND THE HELICOPTER TUMBLED FORWARD AND IMPACTED THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT IT WAS DARK DURING THE DEPARTURE WITH THE LIGHT ON THE RIG THE ONLY THING VISIBLE. HE REMEMBERED THE PILOT FLYING THE HELICOPTER INTO THE WATER WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR HORNS ACTIVATED PRIOR TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N882BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N882BT-1990-10-29), registration cancelled 1990-10-29, S/N 45716 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bell B206LI
- Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45716
- Airframe hours: 5094
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Industrial Helicopters, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 4, 1990, 10 hours before
- Destination: NONE, MI 664, GM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,907 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 180 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- 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 19900912066249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900912066249A), Sep 12, 1990: Bell 206BELL, Port O Connor, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into heavy rainshower. Flew low to maintain contact. Skid hit water. Tumbled to a stop.

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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