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NTSB Report
December 9, 1990 · Bell 206L-1 · N5753B
W.Cameron 266
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 9, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
W.Cameron 266
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N5753B
Operator
Industrial Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW91LA023
AN ATP RATED HELICOPTER PILOT WAS LANDING ON A HELIPAD ATOP AN OIL PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT REAR LANDING SKID COLLAPSED CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR TO STRIKE THE DECK. AS THE PILOT APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO LEVEL THE AIRCRAFT, THE AIRCRAFT STARTED SPINNING. THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE DECK AND SEPARATED AS THE FUSELAGE SPUN OFF THE HELIDECK, LANDING ON A LOWER DECK. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HIGH CYCLE LOW STRESS FATIGUE.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER'S AFT LANDING GEAR CROSSTUBE ASSEMBLY DUE TO FATIGUE.
Full Narrative
AN ATP RATED HELICOPTER PILOT WAS LANDING ON A HELIPAD ATOP AN OIL PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT REAR LANDING SKID COLLAPSED CAUSING THE TAIL ROTOR TO STRIKE THE DECK. AS THE PILOT APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO LEVEL THE AIRCRAFT, THE AIRCRAFT STARTED SPINNING. THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE DECK AND SEPARATED AS THE FUSELAGE SPUN OFF THE HELIDECK, LANDING ON A LOWER DECK. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HIGH CYCLE LOW STRESS FATIGUE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:42 UTC
Nearest AirportW. Cameron 266 (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN5753B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorIndustrial Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28B · Turboshaft · 650
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO