On September 19, 1986, a Bell 206B (registration N16978) was involved in an aviation accident near Eugene Island. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to remove aircraft tie-down lines prior to takeoff, leading to loss of control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A commercial helicopter pilot failed to remove tie-down lines before takeoff from an oil rig, lost control in a hover, struck a safety net and crane boom, causing the tail to separate. The aircraft sank inverted; the pilot was mildly injured and a nearby employee sustained serious leg injuries.
Accident Sequence
A commercial helicopter pilot was conducting offshore flight operations from an oil rig. Prior to takeoff, the pilot did not remove the aircraft's tie-down lines. During the subsequent hover, the pilot lost control of the helicopter. The aircraft collided with a metal safety net and then struck the boom of a crane. The impact caused the tail section of the helicopter to separate and become lodged in the crane boom. The helicopter then impacted the water in an inverted attitude and sank. The wreckage was not recovered.
Injuries
The pilot sustained minor injuries. One company employee who was located in a nearby bunkhouse suffered serious injuries to both legs as a result of the accident.
Probable cause
The pilot failed to remove aircraft tie-down lines prior to takeoff, leading to loss of control.
What happened in the 19 Sept 1986 Bell 206B accident near Eugene Island?
A commercial helicopter pilot failed to remove tie-down lines before takeoff from an oil rig, lost control in a hover, struck a safety net and crane boom, causing the tail to separate. The aircraft sank inverted; the pilot was mildly injured and a nearby employee sustained serious leg injuries.
Were there any fatalities in the 19 Sept 1986 Bell 206B accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 19 Sept 1986 involved a Bell 206B, registration N16978, at Eugene Island.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot failed to remove aircraft tie-down lines prior to takeoff, leading to loss of control.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…