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NTSB Report
February 4, 1982 · Bell 206L-1 · N2623
Gulf Of Mexico
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 4, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Gulf Of Mexico
Aircraft
Bell 206L-1
Tail Number
N2623
Operator
Mobil Oil
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW82DA055
THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED ON AN OIL RIG PLATFORM FOR REFUELING. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE TURNED INTO THE WIND AND TOOK OFF. AS THE HELICOPTER CLEARED THE PLATFORM, IT YAWED LEFT AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN. THE PILOT APPLIED COLLECTIVE TO CUSHION HIS LANDING AND DEPLOYED THE POP-OUT FLOATS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN FIVE FOOT SEAS, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED INVERTED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR. AFTER SOME DIFFICULTY, HE EGRESSED THROUGH ONE OF THE REAR DOORS. AN INSPECTION OF THE OIL RIG HELIDECK REVEALED THAT THE REFUELING HOSE WAS LYING OVER THE SIDE OF THE DECK AND THE HOSE NOZZLE WAS MISSING. BLUE PAINT WAS FOUND ON THE HOSE. THE SKIDS AND BOTTOM OF THE HELICOPTER WERE PAINTED WITH THE SAME SHADE OF BLUE PAINT. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED ON AN OIL RIG PLATFORM FOR REFUELING. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE TURNED INTO THE WIND AND TOOK OFF. AS THE HELICOPTER CLEARED THE PLATFORM, IT YAWED LEFT AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN. THE PILOT APPLIED COLLECTIVE TO CUSHION HIS LANDING AND DEPLOYED THE POP-OUT FLOATS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN FIVE FOOT SEAS, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED INVERTED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR. AFTER SOME DIFFICULTY, HE EGRESSED THROUGH ONE OF THE REAR DOORS. AN INSPECTION OF THE OIL RIG HELIDECK REVEALED THAT THE REFUELING HOSE WAS LYING OVER THE SIDE OF THE DECK AND THE HOSE NOZZLE WAS MISSING. BLUE PAINT WAS FOUND ON THE HOSE. THE SKIDS AND BOTTOM OF THE HELICOPTER WERE PAINTED WITH THE SAME SHADE OF BLUE PAINT. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:50 UTC
Nearest AirportShip Shoal 87 (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBell 206L-1
Tail NumberN2623
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMobil Oil
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C28B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 20 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time15:50