# NTSB FTW92LA070: Bell 206L-3, N3120X, South Pelto #1, February 15, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1992, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: South Pelto #1
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA070

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE HELICOPTER DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS WERE THE FOG AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED COMMERCIAL PILOT ENCOUNTERED A FOG BANK WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FEET. WITHIN SECONDS AFTER ENTERING THE CLOUDS, AND TURNING LEFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO VMC, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE WATER ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER. THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE RESCUED AFTER FLOATING IN THE WATER FOR THREE AND ONE HALF HOURS. THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3120X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3120X-1995-07-13), registration cancelled 1995-07-13, S/N 51532 (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: 51532
- Airframe hours: 120
- Engines: ALLISON 250C-30P 600 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Petroleum Helicoters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Safeco Credit Company, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 3, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: NONE, EUGENE ISLAND, GM
- Destination: HUM, HOUMA, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,117 total, 87 in this make and model, 1,902 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920215005759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920215005759A), Feb 15, 1992: Bell 206L3, South Pelto 1, LA, Destroyed. Entered IMC VFR,got vertigo,lost control and entered water,moving backward. Pilot not IFR rated. No wx briefing.

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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