Bell 206-L4 N266AL

Summary

On 6 October 2006 at about 18:45 local time, a Bell 206-L4 registered N266AL was involved in an incident near Abbeville, Louisiana, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 October 2006 at 18:45

Classification

Incident

Location

Abbeville, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

29.9693, -92.1195

Aircraft

Bell 206-L4

Registration

N266AL

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gulf of Mexico → Abbeville

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW07IA018

Nobody was injured.

A fire in the baggage area for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.