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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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August 1, 2002 · Bell 206L-1 · N25GH

E Cameron 190

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 1, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
E Cameron 190
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N25GH
Operator
Helitrans
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA228

The helicopter was en route to a gas production platform in the Gulf of Mexico when the helicopter's engine steadily lost power and the 2,500-hour commercial pilot initiated an autorotation to the water. During touch down, a main rotor blade struck the tail boom, separating a section of the tail rotor drive shaft and damaging both vertical winglets. No engine discrepancies or anomalies were noted with the engine during the investigation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On August 1, 2002, at 1540 central daylight time, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N25GH, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the water following a loss of engine power near East Cameron 190, Gulf of Mexico. The helicopter was registered to Go Helicopters Inc. and operated by Go Helitrans of Manvel, Texas. The commercial pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. The flight originated at West Cameron 237, Gulf of Mexico, at 1530, and was en route to Vermillon 410, Gulf of Mexico. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the operator reported that en route to Vermillon 410, an offs-shore platform, while at 1,500 feet msl, the helicopter's engine steadily lost power until the 2,500-hour pilot initiated an autorotation. During the touch down on the water, a main rotor blade struck the tail boom separating a section of the tail rotor drive shaft, and damaging both vertical winglets. The pilot and passengers exited the helicopter and was picked up by a crew boat. The helicopter was loaded onto a barge and transported to shore, then to the operator's location in Manvel, Texas. The helicopter's engine had accumulated a total time of 17,982.4 hours, with 4.4 hours since the last 100-hour inspection that was performed on July 30, 2002. Examination of the fuel system, by FAA inspectors, revealed some debris in the main fuel tanks and discolored fuel in the line that goes to the fuel filter. Clear fuel was found in the line that goes from the fuel filter to the fuel control. The fuel control and power turbine governor were removed for further examination. On September 18, 2002, at the manufacturer's facilities in South Bend, Indiana, the fuel control and power turbine governor were tested for run-as-received (RAR), as requested by the NTSB IIC. Three representatives from Honeywell and an Air Safety Inspector from the FAA's South Bend FSDO witnessed the examination. Based on the testing, Honeywell found no anomalies that would result in a loss of power, flameout, or sudden overspeed condition. No other engine discrepancies or anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe during the investigation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:40 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN25GH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHelitrans
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C28B · Turboshaft · 720
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data