# NTSB FTW97LA016: Bell 206L-3, N21497, Venice, LA, October 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 1996, 07:20 local (12:20 UTC) - Place: Venice, LA - Coordinates: 29.269157, -89.349647 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2692&lon=-89.3496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20091 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20091/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA016 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to frogs being ingested into the engine as a result of the pilots failure to perform a thorough preflight, and the pilot's improper touchdown technique. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - turboshaft engine - foreign object damage (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - misc,engine compressor stall/surge - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause) - misc rotorcraft,main rotor/tail boom contact - blade strike ## Analysis During takeoff, approximately 50 feet AGL, the pilot heard a 'big pop and the helicopter was shaky and noisy.' He initiated a deceleration due to the wires in front of the helicopter. During the landing, 'a main rotor blade flexed down and severed the tailboom.' Throughout the forced landing the pilot had tail rotor pedal control. An examination of the engine by the operator revealed that frogs had been ingested. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 1996, at 0720 central daylight time, a Bell 206L-3 helicopter, N21497, owned and operated by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing near Venice, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 135 air taxi flight. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured. A company flight plan was filed. The flight was originating from the Shell Heliport at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the helicopter was approximately 50 feet AGL during takeoff when he heard a "big pop and the helicopter was shaky and noisy." He initiated a "deceleration to land "due to the wires in front of the helicopter. During the landing, a 2-foot section of the tailboom which included the vertical fin and tail rotor gearbox, separated from the tailboom. Throughout the forced landing he had tail rotor pedal control. The passengers reported that on takeoff they heard a noise like a "backfire," and then the helicopter began to shake. According to the operator, the damage to the helicopter resulted when "a main rotor blade flexed down and severed the tailboom." An examination of the engine by the operator revealed that frogs had been ingested. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21497](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21497-2022-12-06), registration cancelled 2022-12-06, S/N 51518, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206L-3 - Registry model: [Bell 206L-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206l-3) (registry code 1182108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C30 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c30-series) (registry code 03015, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 51518 - Airframe hours: 5862 - Engines: Allison 250-C30P 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Petroleum Helicopters, Inc - Registered owner: Banc One Texas Leasing Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 11, 1996, 9 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: SOUTH PASS 65C, GM - Airport: NONE, Shell Heliport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 13,967 total, 10,807 in this make and model, 198 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °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 19961014031959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961014031959A), Oct 14, 1996: Bell 206L3, Venice, LA, Substantial damage. Helicopter hovering when pilot heard loud pop, executed autorotation, main rotor flexed, cut off tail boom. (.4)during takeoff, approximately 50 feet AGL, the… 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.