Bell 206L 3 accident near Venice, LA, USA
On October 9, 2013, a Bell 206L 3 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Venice, LA, USA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 9, 2013
- Place
- Venice, LA, USA
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L 3 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 29.550°N, 88.700°W
- NTSB ID
- 20131009X50051
Official records · CEN14FA004
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Communication Summary, BSEE: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 9, 2013, about 0720 central daylight time, a Bell 206L-3, N54LP, was substantially damaged when it impacted water shortly after takeoff from the Main Pass (MP) 107D oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the three passengers were seriously injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Panther Helicopters, Inc., Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the business flight, which was destined for the Belle Chasse Heliport (06LA), Belle Chasse, Louisiana. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. The purpose of the flight was a routine crew change at the MP107D oil platform, which consisted of dropping off three oil platform employees, picking up three other employees, then returning to 06LA. The pilot and three passengers departed 06LA about 0633 and flew direct to MP107D. After landing on MP107D, the pilot did not shut down the helicopter and stayed at the controls with the main rotor turning until the crew change was complete. A witness standing on the MP108E oil platform, which is about 300-to 400 yards from MP107D and affords a clear and unobstructed view of the MP107D platform, saw the helicopter sitting east-southeast on the helipad with its main rotor blades turning. The witness said three people got off the helicopter and three other people got on. He described the weather as " stale " and the wind sock was " limp. " About 1 to 2 minutes later, the
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power due to the liberation of a second stage turbine blade near the blade root due to a high-cycle fatigue crack and subsequent overload. Although extensive testing and materials analysis was performed, the reason for crack initiation could not be determined.
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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.
