Bell 206-L4 accident near Mobile Block 114Cc, May 13, 2011
On May 13, 2011 at about 4:20 pm local time, a Bell 206-L4 (helicopter), registered N266P, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Mobile Block 114Cc (Mobile Block 114Cc airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 2 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s operation of the helicopter with a left, quartering headwind, resulting in conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 13, 2011 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Mobile Block 114Cc · Mobile Block 114Cc · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206-L4 · all 206-L4s on the register
- Registration
- N266P · registry record · serial 52271
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after liftoff from the production platform helideck, the pilot observed that the helicopter began an uncommanded slow yaw to the right. The pilot applied full left pedal, which had no effect. He lowered the collective, rolled the throttle to idle, and deployed the emergency floats. The helicopter impacted the water and rolled over. A postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure. Tail rotor system continuity was confirmed. The pilot reported that, just prior to the loss of directional control, there was a left, quartering headwind. This condition could have put the helicopter in an area of main rotor disc interference with the tail rotor, which could have resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
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
- Loss of tail rotor effectiveness during initial climb defining event
- Autorotation Hard landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Yaw control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › (general) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 16,070 hours in all; 69 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 7,741 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 29, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,778 hours in all; 683 in this make and model; 104 in the last 90 days; 43 in the last 30 days; 798 on instruments
- Last flight review: February 17, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,870 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 9, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 4,450 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C30 SER (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Phi INC
The flight
- Departed from: Mobile Block 114Cc GM
- Destination: Mobile Block 114Cc GM
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 20,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from MOB, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on December 13, 2011. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Written Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Statement of Phone Conversation | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Excerpts - Bell 206L4 Flight Manual | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 1: Tail Rotor Area (FAA Photo) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photo 2: Tail Rotor Area (FAA Photo) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.