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NTSB Report
August 10, 1987 · Bell 206L-1 · N5000Y
Eugene Island
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Eugene Island
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N5000Y
Operator
Petroleum Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87LA194
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKE DURING TAKEOFF FROM AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM. THE ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE UNDERSIDE OF A CABLE RACEWAY ON A DRILLING RIG THAT WAS SITUATED ADJACENT TO THE PLATFORM HELIDECK. THE RACEWAY WAS 9 FEET LATERALLY AND 22 FEET ABOVE THE HELIDECK EDGE. PLT HAD LANDED ON THE HELIDECK WHILE ANOTHER ACFT WAS PARKED ON THE DECK REQUIRING ACCIDENT PLT TO MAKE AN APP TO A HOVER THEN SLIDE SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE PAD AND SET DOWN WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES UNDER LAPPING THE BOTOM OF THE JACK UP DRILLING PLATFORM. AFTER LIFTOFF TO A HOVER, THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TRANSITION TO FWD FLT WHEN THE ROTOR STRIKE OCCURRED. FOLLOWING THE STRIKE, HE ATTEMPTED TO INFLATE. OPR'S SOP CALLS FOR MINIMUM OF 1/3 ROTOR DISC CLEARANCE FROM ALL OBSTACLES DURING T/O AND LNDG. THIS CLEARANCE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH ONE ACFT ALREADY PARKED ON THE HELIDECK.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A MAIN ROTOR BLADE STRIKE DURING TAKEOFF FROM AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM. THE ROTOR BLADE STRUCK THE UNDERSIDE OF A CABLE RACEWAY ON A DRILLING RIG THAT WAS SITUATED ADJACENT TO THE PLATFORM HELIDECK. THE RACEWAY WAS 9 FEET LATERALLY AND 22 FEET ABOVE THE HELIDECK EDGE. PLT HAD LANDED ON THE HELIDECK WHILE ANOTHER ACFT WAS PARKED ON THE DECK REQUIRING ACCIDENT PLT TO MAKE AN APP TO A HOVER THEN SLIDE SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE PAD AND SET DOWN WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES UNDER LAPPING THE BOTOM OF THE JACK UP DRILLING PLATFORM. AFTER LIFTOFF TO A HOVER, THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TRANSITION TO FWD FLT WHEN THE ROTOR STRIKE OCCURRED. FOLLOWING THE STRIKE, HE ATTEMPTED TO INFLATE. OPR'S SOP CALLS FOR MINIMUM OF 1/3 ROTOR DISC CLEARANCE FROM ALL OBSTACLES DURING T/O AND LNDG. THIS CLEARANCE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH ONE ACFT ALREADY PARKED ON THE HELIDECK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:55 UTC
Nearest AirportEugene Island (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length50 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN5000Y
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPetroleum Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28 · Turboshaft · 435
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 14 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC