Bell 47 SOLOY N1169W

Summary

On 23 August 1996 at about 05:00 local time, a Bell 47 SOLOY registered N1169W, operated by Exploration Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Intracoastal, Louisiana, United States. One person was 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.

Date

23 August 1996 at 05:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Intracoastal, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

29.9704, -92.1200

Aircraft

Bell 47 SOLOY

Registration

N1169W

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Exploration Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

FTW96LA356

Nobody was injured.

the loss of aircraft control by unknown person(s).

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to local law enforcement personnel, an 'unknown individual started the helicopter, lifted off the ground, and immediately lost control.' Examination of the wreckage revealed that the tail boom was severed, and the main rotor system became separated from the helicopter. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident, and no local residents of the area recalled hearing the helicopter or the sound of impact anytime during the night. The operator stated that the helicopter was last operated on the previous afternoon, and the helicopter was secured at 1800. The operator reported the helicopter missing at 0530. No suspects were arrested or charged. Injury index presumed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.