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NTSB Report
January 25, 1986 · Bell 206L-1 · N5748Y
Sabine Pass, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 25, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Sabine Pass, TX
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N5748Y
Operator
Omni Flight Offshore
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
FTW86LRA07
ACFT ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER ENROUTE FROM SHORE TO AN OIL RIG THAT WAS UNDER TOW IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. UPON ENCOUNTERING IMC CONDITIONS, THE PLT CLIMBED TO 600' AGL FOR BETTER OBSTACLE CLEARANCE AND TURNED BACK TOWARD THE BEACH. DURING A SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPT TO REACQUIRE VMC CONDITIONS THE PLT ENTERED A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE TURN A RAPID DESCENT RATE DEVELOPED AND THAT HE WAS ABLE TO ARREST IT USING FULL COLLECTIVE, JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE TIDAL MUD FLATS. THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING WITH NO DAMAGE BUT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED DURING THE RECOVERY EFFORT.
Full Narrative
ACFT ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER ENROUTE FROM SHORE TO AN OIL RIG THAT WAS UNDER TOW IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. UPON ENCOUNTERING IMC CONDITIONS, THE PLT CLIMBED TO 600' AGL FOR BETTER OBSTACLE CLEARANCE AND TURNED BACK TOWARD THE BEACH. DURING A SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPT TO REACQUIRE VMC CONDITIONS THE PLT ENTERED A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE TURN A RAPID DESCENT RATE DEVELOPED AND THAT HE WAS ABLE TO ARREST IT USING FULL COLLECTIVE, JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE TIDAL MUD FLATS. THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING WITH NO DAMAGE BUT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED DURING THE RECOVERY EFFORT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:04 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN5748Y
Aircraft CategoryHeli
OperatorOmni Flight Offshore
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28 · Turboshaft · 435
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total4
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 5 kt
CeilingBroken clouds 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:07
Weather SourceWFAC