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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 21, 1982 · Bell 206B · N208EH

Port Mansfield, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Port Mansfield, TX
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N208EH
Operator
Era Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW82DA342

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING FERRIED TO SHORE FROM AN OIL RIG WHEN THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX FAILED AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED TO THE WATER. UPON WATER CONTACT THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT HAD CALLED HIS SKIPPER ON THE RADIO AS HE SPIRALED DOWN FROM 1800 FEET FOR A PICKUP POSITION. HE POPPED THE FLOATS UPON LANDING AND WAITED FOR RESCUE AFTER HE EXITED THE AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS BEING FERRIED TO SHORE FROM AN OIL RIG WHEN THE TAILROTOR GEAR BOX FAILED AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT AUTOROTATED TO THE WATER. UPON WATER CONTACT THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER. THE PILOT HAD CALLED HIS SKIPPER ON THE RADIO AS HE SPIRALED DOWN FROM 1800 FEET FOR A PICKUP POSITION. HE POPPED THE FLOATS UPON LANDING AND WAITED FOR RESCUE AFTER HE EXITED THE AIRCRAFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN208EH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEra Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data