Bell 206-L1 N2755N

Summary

On 5 August 2001 at about 12:00 local time, a Bell 206-L1 registered N2755N was involved in an accident near Wc 173, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 August 2001 at 12:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Wc 173, United States

Coordinates

29.6708, -92.9183

Aircraft

Bell 206-L1

Registration

N2755N

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Creole → Wc 173

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW01LA172

3 people were seriously injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain yaw control of the helicopter during approach.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After an uneventful flight, the pilot initiated an approach to an offshore platform into the wind, when the helicopter made an "uncontrolled, un-induced yaw to the right." He then attempted to turn to the right to stop the yaw and to maneuver away from the platform. As he increased power, the aircraft "went into an uncontrollable and rapid spin to the right." The pilot then closed the throttle and reduced power, which "slowed but did not stop the spin." Just as the pilot "pulled" collective, the aircraft impacted the water, rolled over, and sank. Flight control continuity checks were performed after the helicopter was recovered from the water. No anomalies were found within the tail rotor drive or flight control systems that could not be attributed to impact or recovery damage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.