# NTSB FTW97LA030: Bell 206B-3, N2043B, Creole, LA, October 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 1996, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Creole, LA - Coordinates: 29.840242, -93.059707 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8402&lon=-93.0597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20106 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20106/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA030 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to remove the 100 foot long line and the external cargo basket from the helicopter before takeoff, and/or his failure to ensure that clearance/altitude was maintained from the fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - external load equipment - improper, pilot in command - external load cable/hook - not removed - object - fence - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff ## Analysis The helicopter was equipped with a 100 foot long line and an aluminum basket for transporting seismic equipment. The pilot arrived at a loading zone and began the daily flights. Total flight time for the day was about 2 hours. After the pilot completed the day's activities, the helicopter was to be repositioned to a different loading zone, where mechanics were to perform maintenance checks before the next day's flights. The pilot started the takeoff without checking the belly hook for the external line. He stated that he forgot that the long line and basket (aluminum mesh 4 feet x 5 feet x 3 feet) were still attached to the helicopter. During takeoff, the helicopter was about 50 to 60 feet above the ground, when the basket hung on a fence. The helicopter was then pulled down to the ground, and it came to rest on its right side. Damage occurred to the main rotors and drive train. The pilot was wearing a helmet, and the helicopters' fuel system was equipped with spill safe fittings. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 1996, at 1715 central standard time, a Bell 206B3 helicopter, N2043B, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff near Creole, Louisiana. The helicopter was owned by Rotorcraft Leasing Company of Broussard, Louisiana, and operated by American Aviation, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was filed. The flight was initiating at the time of the accident. During telephone interviews with the operator and the pilot, the investigator-in-charged gleaned the following information. The company holds an FAA Title 14 CFR Part 133 Operating Certificate for external load operations. The helicopter was equipped with a 100 foot long line and an aluminum basket for transporting seismic equipment to boats in the swamps. The pilot arrived at the loading zone at 0730 and began the daily flights at approximately 0830 to 0900. Total flight time for the day was about 2 hours and the pilot had been at the landing zone for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours when he and other company personnel began to complete the day's activities. At night, the helicopter is repositioned at a different loading zone where mechanics perform maintenance checks before the next days' flights. The pilot started the takeoff without checking the belly hook for the external line. The pilot stated that he "forgot that the long line and basket (aluminum mesh 4 feet x 5 feet x 3 feet) were still attached to the helicopter." During takeoff the helicopter was about 50 to 60 feet above the ground when the basket hung on a fence and the helicopter "was pulled down to the ground and came to rest on the right side." Damage occurred to the main rotors and drive train. The pilot was wearing a helmet and the helicopters' fuel system was equipped with spill safe fittings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2043B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2043B), registered now, S/N 3355 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 206B-3 - Registry model: [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b) (registry code 1181511) (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: 3355 - Airframe hours: 13260 - Engines: Allison 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 133 - Registered owner: American Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 20, 1996, 90 hours before - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 8,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LCH ## 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 19961031034559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961031034559A), Oct 31, 1996: Bell 206B, Creole, LA, Substantial damage. Helicopter was doing long line work when basket caught a fence and pulled aircraft to the ground. (-23) on October 31 1996, at 1715 central standard time, a… 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.