Bell 206L-1 N2244W

Summary

On 8 February 1993 at about 20:00 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N2244W, operated by Petroleum Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Vermillion 39. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 February 1993 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Vermillion 39

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N2244W

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Petroleum Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Vermillion 38

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW93LA081

3 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER LIFTOFF FROM THE OFFSHORE PLATFORM, HE ATTAINED 60 KNOTS OF AIRSPEED AND CLIMBED TO 200 FEET AGL BEFORE ENTERING A LEFT TURN. HE STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE DURING THE TURN AND SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE WATER. WITNESSES LOCATED 3 DECKS BELOW THE HELIDECK STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DESCEND BELOW THEIR LEVEL AS IT CAME OFF OF THE HELIDECK IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, WHICH WAS MAINTAINED UNTIL WATER IMPACT. THE ATTITUDE WAS CONFIRMED BY THE LEFT FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE OR ROTOR DRIVE TRAIN. THE PILOT DID NOT STATE WHY HE ATTEMPTED THE NOSE DOWN MANEUVER

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.