Bell 206 L4 accident near South Timbalier Platform, June 11, 2014
On June 11, 2014 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 2000 Bell 206 L4 (helicopter), registered N207MY, was destroyed in an accident during approach near South Timbalier Platform. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 2014 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- South Timbalier Platform · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206 L4, built 2000 · all 206 L4s on the register
- Registration
- N207MY · no longer on the register · serial 52258
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial-rated pilot and passenger were en route to an oil platform located in the Gulf of Mexico. A witness, who was on the platform, saw the helicopter heading toward the platform. As the helicopter approached, it started to spin in a clockwise direction. The helicopter spun several times before it dropped to the water. Examination of the helicopter and rotor system did not reveal any preimpact abnormalities. Weather stations located about 26 and 48 miles from the accident site reported favorable conditions with relatively light wind. Given the lack of specific wind information for the accident location and the lack of information regarding the helicopter's direction, speed, and altitude as it approached the platform, it could not be determined if the helicopter experienced a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A medical review of the pilot noted discrepancies between his declared medical conditions and medicine usage and those found during the autopsy and toxicology tests. However, there was not enough information to determine whether a medical issue resulted in the pilot's loss of helicopter control.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach
- Loss of control in flight during approach defining event
- Unknown or undetermined during approach
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Personnel issues › Physical › Health/Fitness › Predisposing condition › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, foreign licence
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,387 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 18, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 4,550 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C30 SER (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Westwind Helicopter LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Ship Shoal 266B GM at 7:09 pm
- Destination: South Tb 317 GM
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 7:20 pm from KGRY, 26 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.