Bell 206-L1 accident near Wc 173, August 5, 2001
On August 5, 2001 at about 12:00 pm local time, a Bell 206-L1 (helicopter), registered N2755N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wc 173. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain yaw control of the helicopter during approach.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2001 · about 12:00 pm local time
- Place
- Wc 173 · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206-L1 · all 206-L1s on the register
- Registration
- N2755N · no longer on the register · serial 45243
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After an uneventful flight, the pilot initiated an approach to an offshore platform into the wind, when the helicopter made an "uncontrolled, un-induced yaw to the right." He then attempted to turn to the right to stop the yaw and to maneuver away from the platform. As he increased power, the aircraft "went into an uncontrollable and rapid spin to the right." The pilot then closed the throttle and reduced power, which "slowed but did not stop the spin." Just as the pilot "pulled" collective, the aircraft impacted the water, rolled over, and sank. Flight control continuity checks were performed after the helicopter was recovered from the water. No anomalies were found within the tail rotor drive or flight control systems that could not be attributed to impact or recovery damage.
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: 2,341 hours in all; 576 in this make and model; 250 in the last 90 days; 113 in the last 30 days; 1,350 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 9, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 25,519 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, July 21, 2001; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,150 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C28 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Creole LA at 11:30 am
- Destination: NONE Wc 173 GM
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.