# NTSB FTW92LA062: Bell 206L-3, N65603, E.I. Blk 108, January 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1992, 06:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: E.I. Blk 108
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18438
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18438/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA062

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT ATTEMPTING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OF FOG AND LOW CEILINGS DURING DAWN LIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE OFF SHORE BASED HELICOPTER ATTEMPTED TO FLY TO A SATELLITE OFF SHORE OIL PLATFORM IN FOGGY DAWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. DURING THE APPROACH TO THE DESTINATION PLATFORM, VISUAL REFERENCE WAS LOST AND THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED INTO THE WATER, ROLLED OVER AND SANK. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65603](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65603-1994-02-23), registration cancelled 1994-02-23, S/N 51428 (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: 51428
- Airframe hours: 1282
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-30 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Industrial Helicopters Inc.
- Registered owner: Industrial Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 9, 1992, 67 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,787 total, 4,660 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 238 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °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 19920129003189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920129003189A), Jan 29, 1992: Bell 206L3, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Substantial damage. Tried fly VFR to offshore platform in dense fog. Struck water near rig. Rolled and sank.

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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