# NTSB LAX85LA407: Bell 206B, N2160L, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), September 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1985, 12:04 local (19:04 UTC)
- Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA407
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA407

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - refueling - inattentive (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PWR WITHIN 10 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A FISHING VESSEL. THE HELICOPTER WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN AT COORDINATES 11.25'N AND 103.37'W. EXAMINATION OF FUEL SAMPLES FROM THE FISHING VESSEL REVEALED BOTH UPPER AND LOWER FUEL FILTERS WERE HEAVILY CONTAMINATED WITH WATER AND OTHER FOREIGN MATERIAL. ROUGH SEAS WERE REPORTED FOR THE PREVIOUS THREE DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2160L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2160L-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 2182, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 206B
- 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: 2182
- Airframe hours: 2024
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20 317 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Caribbean Marina Serv. Inc.
- Registered owner: South Seas Helicopter Co. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1985, 48 hours before
- Departed: FISHING VESSEL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 13,630 total, 11,500 in this make and model, 13,430 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

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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