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NTSB Report
September 12, 1990 · Bell B206LI · N882BT
Port O'Connor, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 12, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Port O'Connor, TX
Aircraft
Bell B206LI
Tail Number
N882BT
Operator
Industrial Helicopters
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW90FA178
THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED AT DAWN FOR A VFR FLIGHT FROM A COASTAL BASE EN ROUTE TO AN OFFSHORE OIL PLATFORM DURING IMC. THE CEILING WAS LOW AND RAIN SHOWERS WERE PASSING THROUGH THE AREA. AFTER THE HELICOPTER FLEW PAST THE SHORELINE IT PENETRATED A HEAVY RAIN SHOWER. THE PILOT DESCENDED THE HELICOPTER AND ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH A LIGHT ON AN OIL PLATFORM LOCATED IN HIS LINE OF SIGHT. THE RIGHT SKID DIPPED INTO THE WATER AND THE HELICOPTER TUMBLED FORWARD AND IMPACTED THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT IT WAS DARK DURING THE DEPARTURE WITH THE LIGHT ON THE RIG THE ONLY THING VISIBLE. HE REMEMBERED THE PILOT FLYING THE HELICOPTER INTO THE WATER WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR HORNS ACTIVATED PRIOR TO IMPACT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY INTO THE KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AND THE WEATHER/LIGHT CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED AT DAWN FOR A VFR FLIGHT FROM A COASTAL BASE EN ROUTE TO AN OFFSHORE OIL PLATFORM DURING IMC. THE CEILING WAS LOW AND RAIN SHOWERS WERE PASSING THROUGH THE AREA. AFTER THE HELICOPTER FLEW PAST THE SHORELINE IT PENETRATED A HEAVY RAIN SHOWER. THE PILOT DESCENDED THE HELICOPTER AND ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH A LIGHT ON AN OIL PLATFORM LOCATED IN HIS LINE OF SIGHT. THE RIGHT SKID DIPPED INTO THE WATER AND THE HELICOPTER TUMBLED FORWARD AND IMPACTED THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT IT WAS DARK DURING THE DEPARTURE WITH THE LIGHT ON THE RIG THE ONLY THING VISIBLE. HE REMEMBERED THE PILOT FLYING THE HELICOPTER INTO THE WATER WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR HORNS ACTIVATED PRIOR TO IMPACT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell B206LI
Tail NumberN882BT
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorIndustrial Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28B · Turboshaft · 435
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDawn
Wind60° @ 8 kt, gusting 13 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT