Bell 206L-3 accident near Intracoastl Cty, LA
On May 10, 1994, a Bell 206L-3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Intracoastl Cty, LA. 5 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 10, 1994
- Place
- Intracoastl Cty, LA
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 5 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 29.969°N, 92.120°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X01268
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 10, 1994, approximately 0815 central daylight time, a Bell 206L-3 helicopter, N5844, was destroyed near Intracoastal City, Louisiana, when it impacted the water in an uncontrolled descent. The airline transport rated pilot and four passengers received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the company Title 14 CFR Part 91 flight. According to Toca New Orleans (flight following) records, the pilot's route of flight was from Acadiana Regional Airport (ARA), Erath Helistop (LA70), then to Vermillion 149 in the Gulf of Mexico. The operator reported that the helicopter was the third aircraft to depart Erath helistop en route to Vermilion 149 for crew change. At 0830 a radio call was made to the pilot to coordinate the crew change at Vermillion 149. There was no response. At 0845, 5 minutes after his ETA, a formal radio search was started. A search along the intended route of flight towards the beach commenced at 0850. The helicopter was located at 0927 approximately one mile from shore. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The airline transport rated pilot accumulated 2,776 hours of flying in the vicinity and over the Gulf of Mexico while being employed by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., and Southern Natural Gas. The pilot completed VFR and IFR refresher training at the Bell Helicopter Customer Training Academy on April 19, 1994. See the enclosed training record. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION A review of the airframe and engine records did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects. An estimate of the weight of the helicopter at the time of
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
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Browse: Louisiana · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
