# NTSB FTW91FA035: Bell 206L-1, N39HC, S Tim Blk 198, January 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1991, 14:36 local (20:36 UTC)
- Place: S Tim Blk 198
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA035

## Probable cause

FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S), THE HELICOPER CRASHED AT SEA (GULF OF MEXICO) IN AN AREA WITH A LOW CEILING, RAIN, AND THUNDERSTORMS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - rain
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - terrain condition - water
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED AN OFF-SHORE OIL PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, EN ROUTE TO AN ON-SHORE LOCATION. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING, WHICH INFORMED HIM OF ADVERSE CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.  HE DID NOT MAKE A MANDATORY 15 MINUTE FLIGHT FOLLOWING CONTACT AFTER DEPARTURE & WAS PRESUMED TO BE MISSING.  A SEARCH WAS INITIATED, BUT IT WAS HAMPERED BY INCLEMENT WEATHER.  NEITHER THE MAIN WRECKAGE NOR THE OCCUPANTS WERE FOUND.  THE LOWER FLOORING OF THE CABIN SECTION, A SKID, AND A MAIN ROTOR BLADE TIP WERE FOUND FLOATING IN THE WATER & WERE RECOVERED.  AN EXAM OF THOSE ITEMS REVEALED SIGNATURES CONSISTENT WITH A HIGH SPEED IMPACT WITH THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39HC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39HC-1994-12-27), registration cancelled 1994-12-27, S/N 45763 (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: 45763
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Evergreen Equity, Inc, doing business as Evergreen Helicopters
- Departed: NONE, S TIM BLK 198, GM
- Destination: PTN, PATTERSON, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,803 total, 7,050 in this make and model, 10,720 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19910127002209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910127002209A), Jan 27, 1991: Bell 206L1, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Advised of low ceiling rain,fog and thunderstorms en route. Departed. Pieces of wreckage found in area thunderstorm

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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