# NTSB FTW94LA019: Bell 206B, N22841, High Island 467, October 25, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1993, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: High Island 467
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA019

## Probable cause

WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND HIS FAILURE TO REMOVE ALL OF THE AIRCRAFT TIE-DOWNS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - tie down - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT, UPON TAKEOFF FROM THE OFFSHORE PLATFORM, THE AIRCRAFT 'PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND BEGAN TO SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY.' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER.  THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE LEFT FRONT AIRCRAFT TIE-DOWN HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

## Factual narrative

On October 25, 1993, at 1650 central daylight time, a Bell 206B, N22841, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a platform in the High Island Block 467, Gulf of Mexico.  The commercial pilot and the one passenger sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the on demand air taxi flight.  A company VFR flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he lifted off of the offshore platform into the wind and proceeded to move forward from a high hover.  He further stated that the aircraft then "pitched nose down" and "began to spin uncontrollably and went inverted."  Subsequently, the aircraft impacted the water.  An on site investigation by the operator revealed that the left front aircraft tie-down had not been removed prior to takeoff.  One end of the tie-down remained attached to the platform and the other held the aircraft's jack point attachment.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22841](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22841-1994-07-18), registration cancelled 1994-07-18, S/N 3641 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3641
- Airframe hours: 7575
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 19, 1993, 9 hours before
- Destination: 7R5, CAMERON, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,631 total, 2,062 in this make and model, 2,531 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19931025040659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931025040659A), Oct 25, 1993: Bell 206B, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Substantial damage. On takeoff from offshore platform began to spin uncontrollaby. Impacted Gulf. Left front tiedown not removed.

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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