Bell 206-L1 accident near Vermillion Bay, LA
On June 24, 2004, a Bell 206-L1 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Vermillion Bay, LA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 24, 2004
- Place
- Vermillion Bay, LA
- Aircraft
- Bell 206-L1 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 29.756°N, 92.080°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040713X00966
Official records · FTW04FA168
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 24, 2004, approximately 1350 central daylight time, a single-engine Bell 206-L1 helicopter, N5006F, registered to and operated by American Helicopters Inc. (AHI), of Angleton, Texas, was destroyed when it impacted water following an in-flight encounter with severe weather near Vermillion Bay, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident, and a company flight following plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. The 114-nautical mile over water flight originated from offshore platform Eugene Island 349 approximately 1258, with an intended destination of Abbeville Municipal Airport (0R3), near Abbeville, Louisiana. The AHI flight was contracted by Flow Petroleum Services, of Lafayette, Louisiana, to transport personnel from offshore platforms to 0R3. According to recorded excerpts extracted from the operator's flight following system, the helicopter departed from offshore platform East Cameron 321 at 1213, en route to Eugene Island 349, with one passenger and three hours of fuel onboard. The 70-nautical mile flight arrived on offshore platform Eugene Island 349 at 1252, and picked up a second passenger. The flight departed Eugene Island 349 at 1258, with three persons and 2.15 hours of fuel onboard. The estimated time of arrival at 0R3 was 1355. At 1329, the pilot contacted AHI flight following with a normal position report and reported inbound to 0R3. At 1337, the pilot again contacted AHI fli
Probable cause
The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the prevailing thunderstorms and the pilot's inadequate in flight preparation and planning.
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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.
