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December 5, 1999 · Bell 206L-1 · N600CK

Ship Shoal 225

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 5, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Ship Shoal 225
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N600CK
Operator
Evergreen Helicopters Intl
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW00LA040

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On December 5, 1999, at 0745 central standard time, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N600CK, registered to Evergreen Equity, Inc., of McMinnville, Oregon, and operated by Evergreen Helicopters International of Galveston, Texas, sank after landing on the water, following a loss of engine power near Ship Shoal 225, which is located in the Gulf of Mexico. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 nonscheduled flight. The flight originated from platform 89 located in the Ship Shoal 225 area, at 0740, and was destined for a platform in the Ship Shoal 222 area. The operator reported that when the helicopter was about halfway to its intended destination, approximately 150 feet above the water, 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. Several weeks after the accident, a fisherman recovered in his net, the portion of the tail boom aft of the horizontal stabilizer.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN600CK
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEvergreen Helicopters Intl
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 786
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 12 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data