Bell 206B accident near Cameron, Louisiana, April 17, 1998
On April 17, 1998 at about 1:45 pm local time, a Bell 206B (helicopter), registered N59604, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cameron, Louisiana. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 17, 1998 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Cameron, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · all 206Bs on the register
- Registration
- N59604 · registry record · serial 1490
- 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
During final approach, the pilot reported erratic engine and rotor rpm accelerations and droop. To arrest a high rate of descent, the pilot initiated a cyclic flare at 75 feet AGL and leveled the helicopter prior to touchdown. The helicopter landed 'hard' and the main rotor blades 'flexed' downward, separating the tail boom. Four passengers onboard thought the helicopter 'lost power.' The helicopter was within weight and balance limits for the flight. Examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies. Calibrated bench tests of the N1 tachometer, and the N2/rotor rpm dual tachometer showed that they were within limits. The fuel control, fuel pump, and power turbine governor were all found to be within overhaul specifications. Pneumatic lines were found intact.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,371 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 207 in the last 90 days; 78 in the last 30 days; 10,276 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,345 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 24, 1997; 49 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Allison 250-C20 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EC33 Gulf Of Mexico GM at 1:24 pm
- Destination: NONE LA
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.