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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 17, 2005 · Bell 206L · N330P

Gulf Of Mexico

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Gulf Of Mexico
Aircraft
Bell 206L
Tail Number
N330P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW05CA213

The 2,258-hour pilot made his approach to an oil platform, so he would be landing to the east; there was little or no wind. After crossing the helipad skirting, he flared to zero out his groundspeed. After the pilot leveled-off the helicopter, he heard a clunk and saw debris flying. There were no vibrations nor any abnormal indications, prior to the tail rotor contact with the helipad's fence/skirting. The helicopter came to rest in the middle of the platform facing south.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a stationary object while landing.

Full Narrative

On August 17, 2005, at 1008 central daylight time, a Bell 206L single-engine helicopter, N330P, was substantially damaged when the tail rotor contacted the safety fence while landing on the helipad at the Mustang Island 111 offshore oil platform, located in the Gulf of Mexico. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Air Logistics, LLC of New Iberia, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rule (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The flight originated from a nearby oil platform, at approximately 1005. The 2,258-hour pilot reported that he made his approach to the platform, so he would be landing to the east; there was little or no wind. After crossing the helipad skirting, he flared to "zero out my groundspeed". The pilot added that afterhe leveled out the helicopter, "I heard a clunk and saw debris flying around me". He reported there were no vibrations nor any abnormal indications, prior to the landing. After the pilot performed an emergency engine shutdown, the helicopter came to rest in the middle of the platform facing south. Photographs of the helicopter revealed the vertical fin was completely separated from the tail boom, and both tail rotor blades were sheared-off near the tail rotor.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:08 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L
Tail NumberN330P
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C 30P · Turboshaft

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data