Bell 206L-1 accident near S. Timbalier 75, GM, January 9, 1989
On January 9, 1989 at about 7:13 pm local time, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter), registered N27555, was destroyed in an accident near S. Timbalier 75, GM (S.T. 75 airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DUE TO AN UNDETERMINED FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR CONTROL SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 9, 1989 · about 7:13 pm local time
- Place
- S. Timbalier 75, GM · S.T. 75
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · all 206L-1s on the register
- Registration
- N27555 · no longer on the register · serial 45250
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,520 hours in all; 205 in this make and model; 158 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 1,440 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,216 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, December 20, 1988; 92 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,050 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C28B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Air Logistics
The flight
- Departed from: Ship Shoal 114 GM at 6:48 pm
- Destination: S. T. 161 GM
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.