Bell 206L-3 N104LP

Summary

On 12 March 2012 at about 16:00 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N104LP, operated by Chevron USA Inc, was involved in an accident near Southern Timbalier 52CA, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 March 2012 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Southern Timbalier 52CA, United States

Nearest airport

Southern Timbalier 52CA (52CA)

Coordinates

28.9444, -90.1828

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Registration

N104LP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Chevron USA Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Southern Timbalier 52CA → S Timbalier 37J

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12CA191

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection when he did not remove a tie-down strap prior to takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was tied down overnight on the helideck of an off-shore oil platform. The pilot stated that the helicopter preflight had been completed before sunrise, and the first flight of the day was scheduled 4 hours 30 minutes later. During the walk-around prior to the flight, the pilot overlooked the right rear tie-down, which was one of four connected to the fuselage. The pilot attempted to takeoff with the tie-down still attached to the helicopter, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. The helicopter remained on the helideck. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and the right side of the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.