# NTSB FTW92FA189: Bell 206B3, N2072B, Block 651a, July 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1992, 11:13 local (16:13 UTC)
- Place: Block 651a
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18366
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18366/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA189

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH DURING THE APPROACH WHICH LED TO AN EXCESSIVE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE DURING THE LANDING FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence
  - rotor system,tail rotor blade - separation
  - rotor drive system,tail rotor gearbox(90 deg) - separation
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - directional control - not attained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

A HELICOPTER WAS EXECUTING AN APPROACH TO A PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO TO PICK UP TWO PASSENGERS. A NOSE HIGH FLARE WAS OBSERVED BY THE AWAITING PASSENGERS AND THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE FENCE GUARD AROUND THE HELIDECK. CONTROL WAS LOST AS THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY AND GEAR BOX SEPARATED FROM THE TAILBOOM. THE HELICOPTER SPUN OFF THE HELIDECK FALLING TO THE OCEAN BELOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2072B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2072B-1997-02-19), registration cancelled 1997-02-19, S/N 3450 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B3
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3450
- Airframe hours: 7910
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Industrial Helicopters
- Registered owner: Industrial Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 10, 1992, 34 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BLOCK 672A, GM
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NONE, Block 651-A

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16,431 total, 6,430 in this make and model, 106 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSX, 44 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 19920726027369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920726027369A), Jul 26, 1992: Bell 206B, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tail rotor struck chainlink safety fence around helipad deck on oil rig. Helicopter tumbled into Gulf waters.

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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