ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 302774
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Thursday 15 December 2022 |
| Time: | 08:15 |
| Type: |  Bell 206L-4 LongRanger |
| Owner/operator: | Rotorcraft Leasing Company LLC (RLC) |
| Registration: | N414RL |
| MSN: | 52006 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1992 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 19256 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Ship Shoal 150C Offshore Installation, Gulf of Mexico -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Offshore |
| Departure airport: | Omni Mouton Cove Airport, LA (18LS) |
| Ship Shoal 150C Offshore Installation, GOM | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On December 15, 2022, about 0815 central standard time, a Bell 206-L4 helicopter, N414RL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight.
The pilot reported that on approach to the offshore oil platform the wind was gusting from the north. During approach to the helideck, he turned the nose of the helicopter to the northeast, so the disembarking passengers were near the stairway. Later, as he attempted to takeoff, the front skids lifted off the helideck and the wind from the north pushed against the helicopter. The skids became stuck on the helideck and the helicopter rolled over. The pilot was unable to regain control of the helicopter as it continued to roll off the helideck. During the uncontrolled descent, the pilot activated the emergency floats and the helicopter impacted the water. The occupants egressed the helicopter and were rescued from the water.
Photos of the helideck revealed the metal safety skirting was damaged and partially separated.
The operator’s chief pilot stated to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that the pilot stated he made his approach from the south and terminated to a hover, rotated the nose right 45° which put the helideck stairs off the right side of the helicopter’s nose. During the subsequent takeoff, the aft right skid of helicopter likely contacted the helideck and helideck light, which resulted in dynamic rollover. He also reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The operator’s General Operating Manual (GOM) states that platform takeoffs should always begin from a stabilized hover and as into the wind as much as possible.
Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed damage and witness marks to the aft right skid and did not reveal any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
It is likely that the pilot’s improper takeoff technique allowed the helicopter to drift toward the helideck light, then when the skid contacted the light, that acted as a pivot point and resulted in dynamic rollover.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper takeoff technique that allowed the helicopter skid to drift into a helideck light, resulting in a dynamic rollover.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/33d9f0b
https://eu.houmatoday.com/story/news/local/2022/12/15/coast-guard-responds-to-helicopter-crash-off-terrebonne-bay/69731306007/
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106462
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=414RL
Location
Media:
The Air Station NOLA helicopter crew rescued all three passengers and transferred them to awaiting EMS at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport. All the passengers were reported to be in stable condition!
— USCG Heartland (@USCGHeartland) December 16, 2022
Read more here: https://t.co/Jb1zrq6PJa pic.twitter.com/g68rv4Fe5m
#NTSB preliminary report: 15 Dec 2022: RLC B206L4 N414RL impacted the GOM after a skid snagged the deck edge netting on SS105C. 3 POB rescued by #USCG.
— Aerossurance (@Aerossurance) January 14, 2023
See: https://t.co/Gy4kHOVcse #offshore #helicopter #accident #helideck #flightsafety #aviationsafety pic.twitter.com/ed3rwwUpFL
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 20-Apr-2024 20:58 | Captain Adam | Updated [Source, Embed code, Narrative, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation