ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 353416
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| Date: | Friday 30 April 1999 |
| Time: | 07:30 LT |
| Type: |  Bell 206B |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | N35WH |
| MSN: | 2736 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1979 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 11030 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C20B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Brazoria 440l, -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Standing |
| Nature: | Unknown |
| Departure airport: | Matagorda, TX |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
An offshore oil platform worker was seriously injured when he walked into a helicopter's turning tail rotor blades. According to the pilot, he landed the helicopter on the platform with the tail rotor over a stairwell in order to land into the wind and avoid a crane operating on the platform. The helicopter was still 'light on the skids,' and he began to reposition the helicopter so the tail rotor would not be over the stairwell. Simultaneously, the rear passenger began to exit the helicopter without receiving authorization. The pilot terminated the repositioning by lowering the collective and rolling the throttle to the idle position. A few seconds had elapsed when the pilot felt a 'nick in the pedals.' Subsequently, one of the passengers notified the pilot that someone had walked into the tail rotor blades. The helicopter was not damaged. According to the passengers, the pilot never indicated to them that he intended to reposition the helicopter. Both passengers exited the helicopter upon hearing the engine power 'spool down.' The front seat passenger was helping the other passenger unload cargo from the helicopter and observed the worker come up the steps into the turning blades.
Probable Cause: The failure of the platform worker to maintain clearance with the turning tail rotor blades. A factor was the inadequate coordination between the pilot and the passengers pertaining to procedures for disembarking from the helicopter.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB FTW99LA131
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 09-Mar-2024 13:46 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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