Bell 206L-3 N65603

Summary

On 29 January 1992 at about 12:20 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N65603, operated by Industrial Helicopters Inc., was involved in an accident near E.i. Blk 108. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 January 1992 at 12:20

Classification

Accident

Location

E.i. Blk 108

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Registration

N65603

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Industrial Helicopters Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

FTW92LA062

1 person had minor injuries.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE ABOVE THE WATER. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT ATTEMPTING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS OF FOG AND LOW CEILINGS DURING DAWN LIGHT CONDITIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT OF THE OFF SHORE BASED HELICOPTER ATTEMPTED TO FLY TO A SATELLITE OFF SHORE OIL PLATFORM IN FOGGY DAWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. DURING THE APPROACH TO THE DESTINATION PLATFORM, VISUAL REFERENCE WAS LOST AND THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED INTO THE WATER, ROLLED OVER AND SANK. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.