# NTSB FTW94LA022: Bell 206L-3, N5370V, Gulf Of Mexico, October 29, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 29, 1993, 16:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Gulf Of Mexico - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18962 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18962/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA022 ## Probable cause THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION IN THAT HE FAILED TO REMOVE A TIE DOWN ROPE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE. ## 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 - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet ## Analysis DUE TO THE HIGH WIND, THE HELICOPTER WAS TIED DOWN ON THE OIL RIG'S HELIDECK WITH FOUR ROPES. DURING PREPARATIONS FOR TAKEOFF, THE LEFT FRONT TIE DOWN ROPE WAS INADVERTENTLY LEFT FASTENED BECAUSE OF THE HIGH WIND CONDITIONS AND TIME CONSTRAINTS. THE PILOT LIFTED THE HELICOPTER OFF THE DECK AND MADE A LEFT TURN INTO THE WIND. HE FELT A SLIGHT TUG, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE TURBULENCE. AT A HEIGHT OF ABOUT TWO OR THREE FEET, THE NOSE PITCHED ABRUPTLY DOWN AND THE PILOT FELT 'TWO QUICK MAST BUMPS.' HIS CORRECTIVE CONTROL INPUT AND THE HELICOPTER'S ATTITUDE CAUSED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES TO CONTACT THE TAILBOOM, SEVERING THE 90 DEGREE GEAR BOX. THE HELICOPTER THEN SPUN 180 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND IMPACTED THE HELIDECK ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS INFLUENCED BY THE 'PRESSURES OF WEATHER AND MISSION COMPLETION.' ## Factual narrative On October 29, 1993, approximately 1635 central daylight time, a Bell 206L-3, N5370V, impacted the South Pass 49B helideck, located in the Mississippi Canyon 63 block, Gulf of Mexico, during takeoff. The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company VFR flight plan had been filed. The following is based on the Pilot/Operator accident report. Due to the high wind, the helicopter was tied down on the oil rig's helideck with four ropes. During preparations for takeoff, the left front tie down rope was inadvertently left fastened because of the high wind conditions and time constraints. The pilot lifted the helicopter off the deck and made a left turn into the wind. He felt a slight tug, but thought it was due to the turbulence. At a height of about two or three feet, the nose pitched abruptly down and the pilot felt "two quick mast bumps." His corrective control input and the helicopter's attitude caused the main rotor blades to contact the tailboom, severing the 90 degree gear box. The helicopter then spun 180 degrees to the right and impacted the helideck on its left side. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5370V (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BELL 206L-3 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 51254 - Airframe hours: 4857 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chevron U.S.A., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, September 26, 1993, 80 hours before - Departed: NONE, GM - Destination: 8LA5, VENICE, LA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 12,830 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 12,090 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 30 knots, gusting 35 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 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 19931029041169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931029041169A), Oct 29, 1993: Bell 206L3, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Substantial damage. Tied down on oil rig. Hurried departure. Failed untie left front skid. Spun. Rotors flexed chopped tail. Hit deck. 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.