# NTSB FTW94LA093: Bell 206BIII, N57340, Lake Charles, LA, March 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1994, 10:52 local (16:52 UTC)
- Place: Lake Charles, LA
- Coordinates: 30.129453, -93.269126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1295&lon=-93.2691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA093

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM A PREFLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command
- Roll over, takeoff
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE LEFT SKID CAME OFF OF THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LANDING ZONE WAS 'SOGGY' AND THAT THE RIGHT SKID 'CUT INTO THE SOD FAIRLY WELL...BRINGING ABOUT THE RAPID ROLL RATE TO THE RIGHT' WHEN THE RIGHT HEAL DID NOT COME OUT OF THE SOD.

## Factual narrative

On March 10, 1994 at 1052 central standard time, a Bell 206B, N57340, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Lake Charles, Louisiana.  The airline transport rated pilot sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR 133 flight.

In the Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot stated that, upon taking off, the left skid came off of the ground and the aircraft began to roll to the right.  Subsequently, the main rotor blade contacted the ground resulting in the main rotor head separating. The aircraft came to rest on its right side.

The pilot also stated that the grass in the "landing zone was fairly soggy."  He reported that the right skid "had cut the surface of the sod and was actually sunken fairly well."  Additionally, he stated that the "right heal did not come cleanly out of this cut...bringing about the rapid roll rate to the right."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57340](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57340-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 2998, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206BIII
- Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2998
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 133
- Registered owner: Evergreen Equity, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 9,203 total, 4,611 in this make and model, 8,926 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19940310004559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940310004559A), Mar 10, 1994: Bell 206B3, Lake Charles, LA, Substantial damage. During vertical takeoff from soggy sod. Left skid lifted. Right skid had cut in caused roll to right as skid stuck.

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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