Bell 206-B3 N12HT

Summary

On 12 September 2003 at about 21:00 local time, a Bell 206-B3 registered N12HT, operated by Go-Helitrans, was involved in an accident near Galveston 395, United States. 4 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

12 September 2003 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Galveston 395, United States

Coordinates

28.4411, -95.2486

Aircraft

Bell 206-B3

Registration

N12HT

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Go-Helitrans

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

GLS395 → Freeport

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03LA224

1 person had minor injuries.

The reason for loss of control was undetermined.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 19,000-hour pilot stated he rolled the throttle up to 70% and reached up to turn the generator on when the helicopter started "bouncing and seemed to be centered on the mast as the helicopter rocked on all four corners of the skids." The pilot then verified the collective was all the way down. The helicopter began to spin and he was unable to control with the anti-torque pedals. The pilot stated he centered the cyclic and the "rocking" continued. He rolled the throttle back to flight idle and noticed the helicopter was going over the edge of the platform. Subsequently, the pilot "rolled the throttle to full open as he pulled the collective." The pilot further reported he didn't believe the helicopter developed full power prior to impacting the water. The helicopter landed upright on the water, and came to rest on its right side. The floats were not deployed prior to impact with the water. Despite multiple attempts, the helicopter has not been located and is presumed to be destroyed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.