- Date
- October 30, 2015, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place
- Cameron, LA
- NTSB coordinates
- 29.3906, -93.4461 (estimated), outside the stated state
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Standing
- Aircraft
- N420PHBell 407
- Defining event
- Standing-engine(s) start-up: Part(s) separation from AC
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 8, 2016
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- General Aviation Accidents
- Parties
- FAA Baton Rouge FSDO
- FAA report
- 20151030019639A
- Case key
- 92283
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to remove a main rotor blade tiedown, which resulted in substantial damage to a main rotor blade when the engine was started.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The operator reported that the pilot landed and shutdown the helicopter on an offshore platform. He secured the main rotor system by attaching a tiedown to the forward left main rotor blade and he then attached this tiedown to the left front skid cross tube. Several hours later, the pilot entered the right front seat to begin the engine start sequence. The operator reported that the pilot proceeded to start the engine and noted a few seconds after initiating the engine start that the helicopter made an "unusual noise" and began to shake. The pilot then shut down the helicopter without further incident. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the blue main rotor blade. The operator reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The operator reported that the pilot landed and shutdown the helicopter on an offshore platform. He secured the main rotor system by attaching a tiedown to the forward left main rotor blade and he then attached this tiedown to the left front skid cross tube. Several hours later, the pilot entered the right front seat to begin the engine start sequence. The operator reported that the pilot proceeded to start the engine and noted a few seconds after initiating the engine start that the helicopter made an "unusual noise" and began to shake. The pilot then shut down the helicopter without further incident. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the blue main rotor blade. The operator reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Bell Helicopter 407 Rotorcraft Flight Manual lists the preflight check areas in Section 2 Normal Procedures. Regarding the exterior check, this manual states in part; 2-3-B-1. Fuselage – Cabin Right Side 1. All main rotor blades – tiedowns removed, condition. There is also a warning in this section that states, "Failure to remove rotor tiedowns before engine starting may result in severe damage and possible injury."
Aircraft
- Registration
- N420PH
- Reported as
- Bell 407 (NO SERIES)
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 53747
- Built
- 2007
- Airframe hours
- 9,015.86
- Engine
- Rolls-Royce 250-C47B, 630 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 135
- Operator
- Phi Inc.
- Registered owner
- Phi Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- AAIP · December 17, 2014
- Departed
- 149 · Cameron, LA
- Destination
- 167 · Cameron, LA
- Airport
- 167 · West Cameron 167
- Equipment
- Satellite tracking device
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 49
- Injuries
- None
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane, Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 1, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- June 21, 2015
- Seat
- Right
- Restraint
- 4-point
- Flight hours
- 3,104 total · 313 in this make and model · 1,918 as pilot in command · 150 in the last 90 days · 36 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.92 inHg
- Observed at
- KVBS, 11 nm away
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 28, 2016, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.2 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.