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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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January 27, 1991 · Bell 206L-1 · N39HC

S Tim Blk 198

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 27, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
S Tim Blk 198
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N39HC
Operator
Evergreen Equity
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW91FA035

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED AN OFF-SHORE OIL PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, EN ROUTE TO AN ON-SHORE LOCATION. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING, WHICH INFORMED HIM OF ADVERSE CONDITIONS IN THE AREA. HE DID NOT MAKE A MANDATORY 15 MINUTE FLIGHT FOLLOWING CONTACT AFTER DEPARTURE & WAS PRESUMED TO BE MISSING. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED, BUT IT WAS HAMPERED BY INCLEMENT WEATHER. NEITHER THE MAIN WRECKAGE NOR THE OCCUPANTS WERE FOUND. THE LOWER FLOORING OF THE CABIN SECTION, A SKID, AND A MAIN ROTOR BLADE TIP WERE FOUND FLOATING IN THE WATER & WERE RECOVERED. AN EXAM OF THOSE ITEMS REVEALED SIGNATURES CONSISTENT WITH A HIGH SPEED IMPACT WITH THE WATER.

NTSB Probable Cause

FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S), THE HELICOPER CRASHED AT SEA (GULF OF MEXICO) IN AN AREA WITH A LOW CEILING, RAIN, AND THUNDERSTORMS.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED AN OFF-SHORE OIL PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, EN ROUTE TO AN ON-SHORE LOCATION. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING, WHICH INFORMED HIM OF ADVERSE CONDITIONS IN THE AREA. HE DID NOT MAKE A MANDATORY 15 MINUTE FLIGHT FOLLOWING CONTACT AFTER DEPARTURE & WAS PRESUMED TO BE MISSING. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED, BUT IT WAS HAMPERED BY INCLEMENT WEATHER. NEITHER THE MAIN WRECKAGE NOR THE OCCUPANTS WERE FOUND. THE LOWER FLOORING OF THE CABIN SECTION, A SKID, AND A MAIN ROTOR BLADE TIP WERE FOUND FLOATING IN THE WATER & WERE RECOVERED. AN EXAM OF THOSE ITEMS REVEALED SIGNATURES CONSISTENT WITH A HIGH SPEED IMPACT WITH THE WATER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:36 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN39HC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEvergreen Equity
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28B · Turboshaft · 500
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

External Links

Appendix: Source Data