# NTSB FTW91LA112: Bell 206L-1, N2772A, S. Tim 171d, June 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1991, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: S. Tim 171d
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23357
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23357/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA112

## Probable cause

THE HIGH RATE OF DESCENT AND DELAYED FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - sheared

## Analysis

DURING A DAYLIGHT APPROACH TO AN OFFSHORE HELICOPTER LANDING PLATFORM THE PILOT DEVELOPED A HIGH SINK RATE THAT HE COULD NOT ARREST WITH THE APPLICATION OF COLLECTIVE. THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD STRADDLING THE SAFETY APRON AND THE LANDING AREA WITH FORWARD VELOCITY. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD AND STRUCK THE TAILBOOM SEVERING IT ONE FOOT AFT OF THE ATTACH POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2772A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 45311
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Departed: NONE, GULF OF MEXICO, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,451 total, 2,645 in this make and model, 3,899 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 12 knots
- 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 19910630025279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910630025279A), Jun 30, 1991: Bell 206L1, Fourchon, LA, Substantial damage. Encountered uncontrolled sink rate on downwind landing on heliport. Impacted hard. Main rotors chopped tailboom.

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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