# NTSB FTW95LA099: MBB BO-105S, N51948, Cameron 278b, January 23, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1995, 07:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Cameron 278b
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19343
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19343/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA099

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REMOVE THE TIEDOOWN DURING THE PREFLIGHT AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - ground tie-down rope/strap - not removed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WINDS WERE GUSTING TO 35 KNOTS AGAINST THE LEFT REAR OF THE HELICOPTER. FOLLOWING THE PREFLIGHT, THE PILOT PLANNED A 180 DEGREE PIVOT PRIOR TO HOVERING. AS THE PILOT INITIATED THE PIVOT, THE FRONT OF THE HELICOPTER ROTATED TO THE LEFT 70 DEGREES, PITCHED UP, ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND CAME TO REST ON THE HELIPAD. THE HELICOPTER TIEDOWN WAS STILL ATTACHED AT THE RIGHT REAR SKID.

## Factual narrative

On January 23, 1995, at 0740 central standard time, a Messerschmitt-Boekam-Blohm (MBB) BO-105S, N51948, was substantially damaged during repositioning on a platform Cameron 278B in the Gulf of Mexico.  The airline transport rated pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The operator of the Title 14 CFR Part 135 on demand cargo flight was Air Logistics of Mew Iberia, Louisiana.

During personal interviews, the company and the pilot reported the following information.  The evening prior to the accident, the helicopter was secured on the helipad as a weather system moved through the area.  Winds shifted from the north northeast and by 0715 as the pilot performed the preflight winds were gusting to 35 knots against the left rear of the helicopter. Following the preflight, the pilot planned a 180 degree pivot prior to hovering.  As the pilot initiated the pivot, the front of the helicopter rotated to the left 70 degrees, pitched up, rolled to the right and came to rest on the helipad.  The pilot shut down the engine and exited the helicopter.

Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tiedown was still attached at the right rear skid.  Damaged occurred to the main rotor blades, tail rotor, aft crosstube, and skids.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51948](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51948-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N S-774, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB BO-105S
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-boelkow-blohm-bo-105s) (registry code 5626006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S-774
- Airframe hours: 5743
- Engines: ALLISON 250 C-20 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Air Logistics
- Registered owner: Offshore Logistics, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 11, 1995, 57 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,609 total, 3,813 in this make and model, 8,174 as pilot in command, 132 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 360° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19950123000759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950123000759A), Jan 23, 1995: Bolkms BO105S, Cameron, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft tried to take off from rig with right gear still tied down to rig.

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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