Bell 206L-1 accident near High Isl Blk298, July 21, 1984
On July 21, 1984 at about 6:15 pm local time, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter), registered N2133L, was substantially damaged in an accident near High Isl Blk298. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 1984 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- High Isl Blk298
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N2133L · registry record · serial 45633
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE HELICOPTER SKID CONTACTED A NET FENCE AROUND THE LANDING PLATFORM ON AN OIL RIG. THE SAFETY NET BROKE AND THE ACFT ROCKED OVER THE SIDE OF THE PLATFORM. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO AUTOROTATE INTO THE WATER. THE LANDING WAS HARD AND ONE FLOATSEPARATED. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER AND LATER SANK IN 200 FT OF WATER.
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; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,858 hours in all; 671 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 1,312 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,150 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 8, 1984; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Detr. Diesel 250-C28 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: High Isl Blk330 GM at 6:07 pm
- Destination: High Isl Blk298 GM
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.