Bell 206L-3 N21497

Summary

On 14 October 1996 at about 12:20 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N21497, operated by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc, was involved in an accident near Venice, Louisiana, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 October 1996 at 12:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Venice, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Shell Heliport (NONE)

Coordinates

29.2692, -89.3496

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Registration

N21497

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Petroleum Helicopters, Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → South Pass 65C

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

FTW97LA016

Nobody was injured.

a loss of engine power due to frogs being ingested into the engine as a result of the pilots failure to perform a thorough preflight, and the pilot's improper touchdown technique.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During takeoff, approximately 50 feet AGL, the pilot heard a 'big pop and the helicopter was shaky and noisy.' He initiated a deceleration due to the wires in front of the helicopter. During the landing, 'a main rotor blade flexed down and severed the tailboom.' Throughout the forced landing the pilot had tail rotor pedal control. An examination of the engine by the operator revealed that frogs had been ingested.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.