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May 30, 2006 · Bell 206L-3 · N92MT

Grand Isle 43Aa

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 30, 2006
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Grand Isle 43Aa
Aircraft
Bell 206L-3
Tail Number
N92MT
Injuries
Fatal
NTSB Number
DFW06IA145

The 15,563 hour commercial pilot successfully landed the single-engine helicopter on the offshore platform. Approximately 5 minutes after landing, the company dispatcher located on 43AA went outside and noticed the helicopter was still running, with the pilot leaning over the flight controls. A few minutes after landing, ground personnel at the platform found the pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, incapacitated. The pilot was transported to a local hospital; however, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. The autopsy determined cause of death to be atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with coronary insufficiency, and manner of death was considered to be natural.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's incapacitation and death due to pre-existing cardiac disease.

Full Narrative

On May 30, 2006, at 1552 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206L-3 helicopter, N92MT, registered to and operated by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., (PHI) of Lafayette, Louisiana, was undamaged upon a successful landing on offshore platform Grand Isle 43AA, located in the Gulf of Mexico. A few minutes after landing, ground personnel at the platform found the pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, unconscious. Resuscitation attempts made by an on-site medic and personnel at a local hospital were unsuccessful. The commercial pilot was pronounced dead at 1711 by an emergency room physician. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 flight. The positioning flight originated from shore base Grand Isle Tank Battery at 1542. There were no reported witnesses to the landing; however, a company spokesman stated that the pilot landed in the center of the helideck, which was unusual because offshore pilots normally land the helicopters to the side of the helideck in order to allow another helicopter to land on the same pad, if needed. Approximately 5 minutes after landing, the company dispatcher located on 43AA went outside and noticed the helicopter was still running, with the pilot leaning over the flight controls. The on-site medic was notified, and after arriving to the helicopter, found the pilot in full arrest. PHI reported that after extricating the pilot, the medic initiated advanced life support (ALS) procedures and advanced cardiac life support procedures (ACLS), without success. At 1640, another PHI helicopter transported the pilot and medic to a local hospital; while en route, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed. After the 55-year old pilot was removed from the helicopter, an employee called PHI operations to receive instructions on how to shut down the engine on the helicopter. Flight operations provided instructions to a worker at the platform, who was able to secure the engine by closing the main fuel shutoff valve. The helicopter was not damaged. The 15,563-hour pilot had been employed by PHI since May 29, 1979. He was reported to have accumulated a total of 7,812 hours in the Bell 206 helicopter. Taped recordings of his conversations with the PHI communication center on his last takeoff and landing were reported to be normal. Toxicological testing was performed by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) Forensic and Accident Research Center, near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs. An autopsy was performed on May 31, 2006, by the Jefferson Parish Forensic Center, near Harvey, Louisiana. The autopsy concluded that the cause of death was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with coronary insufficiency. Manner of death was considered to be natural.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time20:52 UTC
Nearest AirportGrand Isle, Gulf Of Mexico (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206L-3
Tail NumberN92MT
Aircraft CategoryHeli
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C30P · Turboshaft · 650
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data