# NTSB FTW93LA081: Bell 206L-1, N2244W, Vermillion 39, February 8, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 8, 1993, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Vermillion 39 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18694 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18694/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA081 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - water - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER LIFTOFF FROM THE OFFSHORE PLATFORM, HE ATTAINED 60 KNOTS OF AIRSPEED AND CLIMBED TO 200 FEET AGL BEFORE ENTERING A LEFT TURN. HE STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE DURING THE TURN AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE WATER. WITNESSES LOCATED 3 DECKS BELOW THE HELIDECK STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DESCEND BELOW THEIR LEVEL AS IT CAME OFF OF THE HELIDECK IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, WHICH WAS MAINTAINED UNTIL WATER IMPACT. THE ATTITUDE WAS CONFIRMED BY THE LEFT FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE OR ROTOR DRIVE TRAIN. THE PILOT DID NOT STATE WHY HE ATTEMPTED THE NOSE DOWN MANEUVER ## Factual narrative On February 8, 1993, at approximately 1400 central standard time, a Bell 206L1, N2244W, was substantially damaged when it impacted the water while maneuvering after takeoff from an offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The departure point was a platform positioned in Vermillion 39. The commercial pilot and the two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 135 operation. According to the pilot, he took off from the helideck and after attaining 60 knots airspeed and 200 feet of altitude, he entered a left turn. He stated that during the turn, he diverted his attention inside the cockpit and the aircraft began to settle. He stated that he leveled the aircraft and began a deceleration prior to water impact. Three witnesses positioned three decks below the departure platform observed and reported seeing the helicopter dive off the helideck and make an estimated 45 degree left banking turn before it impacted the water. The pilot did not state why he attempted the nose down maneuver. The witnesses stated that the aircraft remained in the left bank until water impact and that one main rotor blade was the first part of the aircraft to impact the water. Damage was sustained to the left front quadrant of the fuselage. The passenger seated in the left front seat of the helicopter confirmed the witnesses statements concerning the aircraft's attitude and stated that he neither saw warning lights nor heard warning horns before water impact. The pilot stated that the engine and rotor RPM appeared normal, as did the oil pressures. Following recovery of the aircraft wreckage, the engine and drive train were torn down and examined, under the direction of an FAA inspector, by the PHI repair facility. No evidence of pre impact failure or malfunction was found during the examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2244W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2244W-2003-05-13), registration cancelled 2003-05-13, S/N 45750, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206L-1 - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C28 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c28-series) (registry code 03022, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 45750 - Airframe hours: 13894 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Petroleum Helicopters - Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, February 4, 1993, 13 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE, VERMILLION 38, GM - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,102 total, 1,170 in this make and model, 2,671 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19930208001879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930208001879A), Feb 8, 1993: Bell 206L1, Intracoastal Ci, LA, Substantial damage. Settled into water after departing a gulf oil platform. Failed to note descent due preoccupation inside cockpit. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.