Bell 206L-3 N81SP

Summary

On 6 March 2004 at about 22:23 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N81SP was involved in an accident near W. Cameron 149, United States. 3 people were on board and one 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

6 March 2004 at 22:23

Classification

Accident

Location

W. Cameron 149, United States

Coordinates

29.5000, -93.4167

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Registration

N81SP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

W. Cameron 149 → West Cameron 98

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW04LA088

1 person had minor injuries.

A partial loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the emergency floats not being deployed.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Approximately 10 seconds after takeoff from an offshore platform, the 3,299-hour pilot heard a loud bang and the engine lost partial power. The pilot initiated an autorotation to the water, and then heard a subsequent bang. Prior to touchdown, the pilot attempted to inflate the floats; however, the floats did not inflate. The pilot executed a flare, "pulled in pitch"; the helicopter "still had power" and entered into a hover. The pilot reported the helicopter "seemed to still be pulling in power when the [helicopter] touched the water then rolled and the blades hit [the water]." Inspection of the engine revealed minor damage to the compressor diffuser vane and the impeller, and foreign object damage (FOD) in the combustion chamber. It was not determined if the FOD occurred prior to the impact with the water. The reason for the partial loss of engine power was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.