Bell 206L-3 accident near W. Cameron 509, USA
On October 10, 2003, a Bell 206L-3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near W. Cameron 509, USA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 10, 2003
- Place
- W. Cameron 509, USA
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 28.418°N, 93.019°W
- NTSB ID
- 20031021X01791
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 10, 2003, approximately 1049 central daylight time, a Bell 206L-3 single-engine helicopter, N81671, call sign Sierra 61, registered to and operated by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI), of Lafayette, Louisiana, was destroyed when it impacted water following a loss of control while maneuvering near offshore platform West Cameron (WC) 509, located in the Gulf of Mexico. The commercial pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Instrument metrological conditions (IMC) prevailed, and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. The local flight departed platform High Island (HI) 330 at 1006, and was destined for West Cameron 509, with an estimated time of arrival of 1030. Sierra 61's first flight of the day on October 10, 2003, originated from WC 509 at 0832, with the pilot reporting fuel-on-board to be "2 hours and 05 minutes," while en route to HI 330. The flight arrived at HI 330 at 0854. The second flight of the day departed HI 330 at 1006 with two passengers, and was destined for WC 509, with an estimated time of arrival at 1030. At 1009, the pilot reported the fuel-on-board to be "one hour and 35 minutes." At 1035, Sierra 61 reported to PHI's Communications Center (COMCTR) that it was landing at WC 509. According to a witness located on WC 509, the helicopter was observed, "coming down at a very steep angle from the southeast on the southwest side of the platform. The helicopter started to ascend on a northwestern heading, as he lost sight of the
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control following an inadvertent encounter with adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the prevailing thunderstorms, the low ceilings, and the miscommunication between the pilot and the company's communication center in obtaining in-flight weather advisories, including aircraft location.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
