Bell 206L-1 accident near B.S. 53, Louisiana, January 16, 2003
On January 16, 2003 at about 2:26 pm local time, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter), registered N3194P, was destroyed in an accident near B.S. 53, Louisiana. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was killed and 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper approach by the pilot and the settling with power encountered by the pilot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 16, 2003 · about 2:26 pm local time
- Place
- B.S. 53, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N3194P · registry record · serial 45788
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The on-demand offshore helicopter flight impacted an oil platform during landing. The pilot stated that he was performing a standard pinnacle approach to the helipad. The approach was described as normal until the helicopter crossed over the edge of the platform, at which point the helicopter suddenly descended below the approach path. He reported that an increase of power beyond 100% torque was ineffective in arresting descent rate. The platform was equipped with a windsock located to southeast side of the landing pad. The height of the windsock was such that it intersected the approximate plane formed by the helideck. The windsock was tattered and according to the pilot's report, "the end of the windsock was wrapped around the pole." Disassembly of the engine revealed no anomalies.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,076 hours in all; 398 in this make and model; 118 in the last 90 days; 53 in the last 30 days; 2,379 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 15, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,036.1 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, January 3, 2003; 43 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,150 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250C28B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Venice LA at 2:16 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
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.