# NTSB FTW92FA112: Bell 206L-3, N6610L, Venice, LA, April 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1992, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Venice, LA
- Coordinates: 29.269313, -89.350929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2693&lon=-89.3509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18357
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18357/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA112

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INCAPACITATION DUE TO FOOD POISONING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - incapacitation(other organic problem), pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(loss of consciousness), pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water, pilot in command

## Analysis

A HELICOPTER PILOT WITH 4 PASSENGERS ABOARD WAS EN ROUTE TO AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM WHEN HE BECAME ILL. WHILE DESCENDING TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON THE WATER, HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. FOOD POISONING WAS CAUSED BY HIS INGESTION OF SOME DAY OLD FISH HE HAD PREPARED THE PREVIOUS NIGHT FOR DINNER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6610L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6610L-1997-02-11), registration cancelled 1997-02-11, S/N 51423 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3
- Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 51423
- Airframe hours: 1556
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 22, 1992, 66 hours before
- Destination: MAIN PASS 306, GM
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,555 total, 2,180 in this make and model, 8,816 as pilot in command, 174 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 7R1, 12 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 19920409062739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920409062739A), Apr 9, 1992: Bell 206L3, Venice, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Became incapacitated from food poisoning. Tried to land in a marsh but lost consciousness and crashed.

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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