# NTSB FTW92LA075: Bell 206B III, N2750F, Grand Isle, February 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1992, 06:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Grand Isle
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18447/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA075

## Probable cause

HEAVY SEA STATE DUE TO THE HIGH WINDS. A FACTOR WAS THE POWER LOSS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
  - weather condition - high wind (cause)
  - rotor system,main rotor blade - disabled

## Analysis

DURING AN APPROACH TO A HELIDECK THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS AND SUBSEQUENTLY MADE A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION. DUE TO HIGH SEA STATE THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAINTAIN IDLE POWER IN ORDER TO AVOID TAIL BOOM CONTACT WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE WHILE AWAITING RESCUE. WIND WAS FROM 300 DEGREES AT 18 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 30. WAVE ACTION DAMAGED THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES WHICH THEN CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. AT THAT POINT ALL OCCUPANTS BOARDED A LIFE RAFT. AN ENGINE TEST RUN WAS SUCCESSFUL. THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS WAS UNDETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2750F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B III
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2674
- Airframe hours: 12372
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Chevron USA Incorporated
- Registered owner: Chevron USA Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 7, 1992, 17 hours before
- Departed: LEV, LEEVILLE, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,020 total, 975 in this make and model, 3,980 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 18 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast

## 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 19920226004089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920226004089A), Feb 26, 1992: Bell 206B, Grand Isle 37, LA, Substantial damage. High sink rate and uncommanded right yaw. Autorotated to rough water. Rotors chopped boom.

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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