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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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NTSB Report

October 6, 2006 · Bell 206-L4 · N266AL

Abbeville, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
October 6, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Abbeville, LA
Aircraft
Bell 206-L4
Tail Number
N266AL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DFW07IA018

Prior to the helicopter's departure from an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico, two passengers loaded the helicopter's baggage compartment with two small duffel bags and a backpack. After arriving at the helicopter's base approximately 35 minutes later, they went to the rear of the helicopter where they noticed smoke coming from the baggage compartment. A fire in the compartment was quickly extinguished. Both passengers reported that they had smelled something burning before leaving the oil platform, but were told the coastal marsh is burnt every year and the smell is noticed from the platforms. The passenger's baggage contained two handheld radios that were sent to the National Transportation Safety Boards Material fire laboratory in Washington, D.C., for examination. Examination of the radios failed to identify any anomalies, and a source for the fire could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A fire in the baggage area for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On October 6, 2006, approximately 1345 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206-L4 helicopter, N266AL, registered to and operated by Air Logistics, LCC, of New Iberia, Louisiana, experienced a baggage compartment fire after landing. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand air-taxi flight. The flight departed from an offshore oil platform, Vermillion 156 (VE 156), located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 35 minutes prior to it's arrival at the company's intra-coastal base located near Abbeville, Louisiana. Both passengers reported they loaded the helicopter's baggage compartment with two small duffel bags and a backpack, prior to departing the platform. After arriving at the helicopter's base in Abbeville, they exited the helicopter and proceeded to the rear of the helicopter when they noticed smoke coming from the baggage compartment. When the pilot opened the compartment door, flames came out of the baggage area. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the helicopter received minor fire damage. In a post incident interview, both passengers stated that they smelled something burning before leaving VE 156, but they were told the coastal marsh is burnt every year, and the smell is noticed from the coastal platforms. The passengers baggage was inventoried and two Motorola radios were identified and sent to the National Transportation Safety Boards Material fire laboratory in Washington, D.C. for further examination. Examination of the radios failed to identify any anomalies, and a source for the fire could not be determined.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time13:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206-L4
Tail NumberN266AL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30 · Turboshaft

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data