Bell 206L-1 N5829D

Summary

On 4 March 1997 at about 18:15 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N5829D, operated by Offshore Logistics, Inc, was involved in an accident near Jamaica Beach, Texas, United States. 5 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 March 1997 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Jamaica Beach, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.3002, -94.7893

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N5829D

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Offshore Logistics, Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Galveston 313 → Galveston

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97LA114

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control due to the loss of visual cues to detect his height above the water. Factors were the low ceilings and fog, and the loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an offshore flight in the Gulf Of Mexico, approximately 3 nautical miles from San Luis Pass, the helicopter encountered low ceilings and low visibilities. The pilot began to slow the helicopter, and descended to approximately 50 above the water. He started a right turn to reverse direction while continuing to slow down. While in the turn, 'the aircraft began to vibrate and [he] recognized it as the transverse flow effect.' Due to the lack of resolution of the water, the pilot was having difficulty determining his exact altitude. He 'immediately applied collective and forward left cyclic to level the aircraft. The vibrations accelerated and the aircraft began an uncommanded turn to the right.' He followed the turn with cyclic and allowed the aircraft to descend. He rolled off the throttle, and the spin stopped. Before the pilot could inflate the floats, the helicopter impacted the water, rolled over onto its right side and subsequently sank. The raft was recovered from the helicopter, and the pilot and passengers floated in dense fog for about 3 1/2 hours before washing ashore at Surfside Beach.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.