Bell 206B accident near E. Cameron 219, May 11, 2007
On May 11, 2007 at about 5:45 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N3RL, was substantially damaged in an accident near E. Cameron 219. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to establish a climb and maintian directional control of the helicopter while departing the offshore platform.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2007 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- E. Cameron 219 · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N3RL · no longer on the register · serial 0396
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial helicopter pilot, who reported having accumulated 179-hours in the same make and model aircraft, lost control of the helicopter while attempting to takeoff from an offshore platform. The pilot lifted the helicopter into a three to five foot hover and performed a final check of the "gauges." Reportedly the torque was indicating 96 percent and all other gauges were within "normal" parameters. The pilot then attempted to transition to forward flight. The pilot reported that the helicopter "appeared to settle as it approached the deck edge and did not feel like it was in transitional lift." After the helicopter crossed the edge of the deck, it entered into an uncommanded descent and right rotation. The pilot deployed the helicopter's floats prior to impacting the water. The pilot and passengers were able to egress the helicopter into a life raft unassisted. The temperature at the time of the mishap was 80 degrees Fahrenheit. At the time of the mishap, the helicopter was calculated to be 116 pounds below allowable maximum gross weight. A post-accident examination of the helicopter revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures.
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: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,071 hours in all; 179 in this make and model; 53 in the last 90 days; 38 in the last 30 days; 653 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,378 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 1, 2007; 118 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,350 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: E Cameron 219 C LA at 7:00 pm
- Destination: E. Cameron 219 GM
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from LCH, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.