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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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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March 9, 1985 · Bell 206L · N16841

Dauphin Island, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 9, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Dauphin Island, AL
Aircraft
Bell 206L
Tail Number
N16841
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL85FA112

PLT DEPARTED FOR OFFSHORE OIL RIG 3 TIMES. TWO TIMES REPORTED RETURNING DUE TO FOG. AFTER THIRD REPORT, PLT SAID HE WAS IFR. NO FURTHER RADIO COMMUNICATION. WRECKAGE INDICATIVE OF HIGH SPEED WATER IMPACT. DENSE FOG AND LOW CEILING REPORTED OFFSHORE SOUTH OF DAUPHIN ISLAND. VFR FLIGHT. PLT NOT CURRENT IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS.

Full Narrative

PLT DEPARTED FOR OFFSHORE OIL RIG 3 TIMES. TWO TIMES REPORTED RETURNING DUE TO FOG. AFTER THIRD REPORT, PLT SAID HE WAS IFR. NO FURTHER RADIO COMMUNICATION. WRECKAGE INDICATIVE OF HIGH SPEED WATER IMPACT. DENSE FOG AND LOW CEILING REPORTED OFFSHORE SOUTH OF DAUPHIN ISLAND. VFR FLIGHT. PLT NOT CURRENT IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:05 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L
Tail NumberN16841
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility1 sm
Ceiling50 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time11:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data