1990-11-19: Mbb BO 105CB4 — Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. — Cameron, LA

Casualties unknown • Cameron, LA, US

Probable cause

THE COMPANY'S MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO INSTALL THE CYCLIC INTERCONNECT TUBE AND THEIR FAILURE TO INSPECT THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT LIFTED THE HELICOPTER OFF THE HELIPAD AND IT WAS OBSERVED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. IT THEN CLIMBED TO APPROXIMATELY THIRTY FEET AND NOSE SLOWLY DOWNWARD BEFORE IT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO IMPACT THE TERRAIN AND SEVERAL CARS IN AN ADJACENT PARKING LOT. THE PILOT WAS THROWN FROM THE COCKPIT WHEN HIS SEATBELT FAILED. HE WAS NOT WEARING A SHOULDER HARNESS. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL HAD NOT INSTALLED THE CYCLIC INTERCONNECT TUBE AFTER THE DUAL CONTROLS WERE REMOVED.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-11-19 Mbb BO 105CB4 accident near Cameron, LA?

THE PILOT LIFTED THE HELICOPTER OFF THE HELIPAD AND IT WAS OBSERVED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. IT THEN CLIMBED TO APPROXIMATELY THIRTY FEET AND NOSE SLOWLY DOWNWARD BEFORE IT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO IMPACT THE TERRAIN AND SEVERAL CARS IN AN ADJACENT PARKING LOT. THE PILOT WAS THROWN FROM THE…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-11-19 involved a Mbb BO 105CB4, registration N3536T, operated by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., at Cameron, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE COMPANY'S MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO INSTALL THE CYCLIC INTERCONNECT TUBE AND THEIR FAILURE TO INSPECT THE HELICOPTER PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X24612. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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