Bell 206L-3 N3120X
15 February 1992 · South Pelto #1 · No injuries
Summary
On 15 February 1992 at about 19:00 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N3120X, operated by Petroleum Helicoters, Inc., was involved in an accident near South Pelto #1. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- South Pelto #1
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-3
- Registration
- N3120X
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Petroleum Helicoters, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Eugene Island → Houma
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW92LA070
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CONTROL THE HELICOPTER DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS WERE THE FOG AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE INSTRUMENT RATED COMMERCIAL PILOT ENCOUNTERED A FOG BANK WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FEET. WITHIN SECONDS AFTER ENTERING THE CLOUDS, AND TURNING LEFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO VMC, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE WATER ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER. THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE RESCUED AFTER FLOATING IN THE WATER FOR THREE AND ONE HALF HOURS. THE PILOT DID NOT OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Bell 206 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jan 1992 | Bell 206L-3 | E.i. Blk 108 | Industrial Helicopters Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Mar 1992 | Bell 206BIII | Glenbrook, Nevada, United States | Smith Helicopter, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 26 Feb 1992 | Bell 206B III | Grand Isle | Chevron USA Incorporated | No injuries | - |
| 1 Apr 1992 | Bell 206BIII | Kaaawa, Hawaii, United States | Hawaii Intl Helicopters | No injuries | - |
| 21 Nov 1992 | Bell 206B-III | Hilo, Hawaii, United States | Paramount Pictures | Minor injuries | - |
| 29 Jun 1992 | Bell 206B | Bessemer, Alabama, United States | Chem-Air Inc., | Fatal | 1 |