Bell 407 accident near Houma, Louisiana, January 14, 2022
On January 14, 2022 at about 4:01 pm local time, a 1997 Bell 407 (helicopter), registered N167RL, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Houma, Louisiana. 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 sudden loss of consciousness for undetermined reasons during cruise flight, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 14, 2022 · about 4:01 pm local time
- Place
- Houma, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 407, built 1997 · all 407s on the register
- Registration
- N167RL · no longer on the register · serial 53167
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger departed in the helicopter on the on-demand passenger flight. Cockpit imagery indicated that, while enroute, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of consciousness. The helicopter departed controlled flight and impacted terrain. Examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Autopsy of the pilot was limited due to extensive traumatic injury. While the pilot’s cardiovascular system showed no evidence of natural disease, an arrhythmia or other electrical disorder would not leave evidence on autopsy; thus, the cause of the pilot’s sudden incapacitation could not be determined. Varying levels of ethanol were detected in the pilot’s liver, lung, kidney, and muscle tissue. Butanol and propanol were also detected in some tissues. Given the differing ethanol tissue concentrations, the state the body was recovered, and the presence of butanol and propanol in some tissues, it is likely that the identified ethanol was from sources other than ingestion.
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
- Medical event during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during enroute (cruise)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › (general) › Flight crew
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,951.5 hours in all; 29.8 in this make and model; 86.2 in the last 90 days; 59.6 in the last 30 days; 1,951.5 as pilot in command; 533 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 13, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 20,224.6 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, December 26, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 5,250 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce M250-C47B (turboshaft); 15,402 hours total
- Operator: Rotorcraft Leasing Company, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: VEN Venice LA at 3:26 pm
- Destination: PTN Patterson LA
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 9:47 am from HUM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on October 14, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversations | PDF, 10 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Wreckage Examination Report | PDF, 13 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | ADS-B Data | data file · our copy | Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | Image - Factual | PDF, 14 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Medical Factual | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
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.