Bell 206L-3 accident near W. Cameron 149, March 6, 2004
On March 6, 2004 at about 10:23 pm local time, a Bell 206L-3 (helicopter), registered N81SP, was substantially damaged in an accident near W. Cameron 149. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the emergency floats not being deployed.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 6, 2004 · about 10:23 pm local time
- Place
- W. Cameron 149 · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-3 · all 206L-3s on the register
- Registration
- N81SP · no longer on the register · serial 51029
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Approximately 10 seconds after takeoff from an offshore platform, the 3,299-hour pilot heard a loud bang and the engine lost partial power. The pilot initiated an autorotation to the water, and then heard a subsequent bang. Prior to touchdown, the pilot attempted to inflate the floats; however, the floats did not inflate. The pilot executed a flare, "pulled in pitch"; the helicopter "still had power" and entered into a hover. The pilot reported the helicopter "seemed to still be pulling in power when the [helicopter] touched the water then rolled and the blades hit [the water]." Inspection of the engine revealed minor damage to the compressor diffuser vane and the impeller, and foreign object damage (FOD) in the combustion chamber. It was not determined if the FOD occurred prior to the impact with the water. The reason for the partial loss of engine power was not determined.
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: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,299 hours in all; 206 in this make and model; 112 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 2,371 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 7, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 14,167.4 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, January 27, 2004; 150 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,150 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C3OP (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GOM W. Cameron 149 GM at 10:23 pm
- Destination: West Cameron 98 GM
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.