# NTSB FTW91LA023: Bell 206L-1, N5753B, W.Cameron 266, December 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1990, 08:42 local (14:42 UTC)
- Place: W.Cameron 266
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23297/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA023

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER'S AFT LANDING GEAR CROSSTUBE ASSEMBLY DUE TO FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - landing gear,skid assembly - cracked (cause)
  - landing gear,skid assembly - collapsed (cause)
  - landing gear,skid assembly - fatigue (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - other
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation
- Roll over, landing

## Analysis

AN ATP RATED HELICOPTER PILOT WAS LANDING ON A HELIPAD ATOP AN OIL PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT REAR LANDING SKID COLLAPSED CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR TO STRIKE THE DECK. AS THE PILOT APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO LEVEL THE AIRCRAFT, THE AIRCRAFT STARTED SPINNING. THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE DECK AND SEPARATED AS THE FUSELAGE SPUN OFF THE HELIDECK, LANDING ON A LOWER DECK. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HIGH CYCLE LOW STRESS FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5753B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5753B-2023-09-20), registration cancelled 2023-09-20, S/N 45514, 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 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45514
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Industrial Helicopters, Inc.
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NONE, W. Cameron 266

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,049 total, 6,016 in this make and model, 8,796 as pilot in command, 245 in the last 90 days, 71 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901209053199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901209053199A), Dec 9, 1990: Bell 206L1, West Cameron, LA, Destroyed. Landing on oil platform right rear skid crosstube collapsed. Caused tailrotor strike. Lost control fell lower deck.

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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