Bell 206L-3 N41128

Summary

On 13 August 2003 at about 16:30 local time, a Bell 206L-3 registered N41128, operated by Petrolium Helicopters Inc., was involved in an accident near E.i. 276, Louisiana, United States. 5 people were on board and 3 died, one was seriously injured, 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

13 August 2003 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

E.i. 276, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

E.i. 276

Coordinates

31.1694, -91.8679

Aircraft

Bell 206L-3

Registration

N41128

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Petrolium Helicopters Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

E.i. 276 → Intracoastal Ci

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI03FA259

3 people died.

The inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and the directional control not obtained/maintained by the pilot during takeoff. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the planned approach to position the helicopter with a crosswind in order to perform hot refueling adjacent to the helideck refueling station.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The on-demand offshore helicopter flight received substantial damage when, according to a witness, it rolled right and off the platform during takeoff. A passenger aboard the flight said that the distance between the helicopter's right landing gear skid and the refueling station was enough to allow two people to walk through. Examination of the wreckage and platform revealed the presence of witness marks and paint transfer on the helideck and right landing skid. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Witnesses reported that the helicopter landed next to the refueling station on the helideck with a left crosswind of 10-20 mph and one of these witnesses said that the winds increased to 45-50 mph with misting rain. Another witness said that the wind was high and increased in intensity. Rain was also present and he noted a bolt of lightning in the vicinity. No anomalies were noted with the helicopter's propulsion and flight control systems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.