On June 30, 1991, a Bell 206L-1 (registration N2772A) operated by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near S. Tim 171D. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to arrest an excessive sink rate during the approach, which led to a hard landing and subsequent structural failure of the tailboom. 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 helicopter experienced a hard landing while approaching an offshore platform, resulting in the main rotor blades striking and severing the tailboom due to excessive sink rate.
What happened
During a daylight operation, the pilot was conducting an approach to an offshore helicopter landing platform. As the aircraft neared the destination, it developed an excessive vertical descent rate that the pilot could not arrest despite applying collective pitch. The helicopter subsequently impacted the surface with forward velocity, straddling the boundary between the safety apron and the designated landing area.
The impact forces caused the main rotor blades to flex downward significantly. This downward deflection resulted in the blades striking the tailboom structure. The collision severed the tailboom at a point one foot aft of its attachment point.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to arrest an excessive sink rate during the approach, which led to a hard landing and subsequent structural failure of the tailboom.
What happened in the 30 Jun 1991 Bell 206L-1 accident near S. Tim 171D?
A helicopter experienced a hard landing while approaching an offshore platform, resulting in the main rotor blades striking and severing the tailboom due to excessive sink rate.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 30 Jun 1991 involved a Bell 206L-1, registration N2772A, operated by Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., at S. Tim 171D.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to arrest an excessive sink rate during the approach, which led to a hard landing and subsequent structural failure of the tailboom.
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