Bell 206L-1 N600CK

Summary

On 5 December 1999 at about 13:45 local time, a Bell 206L-1 registered N600CK, operated by Evergreen Helicopters, Intl., was involved in an accident near Ship Shoal 225. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 December 1999 at 13:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Ship Shoal 225

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206L-1

Registration

N600CK

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Evergreen Helicopters, Intl.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Ship Shoal 222

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW00LA040

1 person was seriously injured.

The loss of power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the rough water condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was about halfway to its intended destination in the Gulf Of Mexico, approximately 150 feet above the water, when the engine lost power. The pilot initiated an autorotation to the water and deployed the floats. The helicopter landed 'hard,' but remained upright and afloat. The pilot got the emergency raft from the cabin and inflated it. After getting into the raft, the waves, which were estimated at 6-8 feet, overturned the helicopter, and it sank in 160 feet of water. The helicopter was not recovered, therefore, the reason for the loss of power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.