No fatalities

12 Mar 2012: BELL 206L-3 — CHEVRON USA INC — Southern Timbalier 52CA

Southern Timbalier 52CA, United States

On 12 Mar 2012, a BELL 206L-3 operated by CHEVRON USA INC was involved in an aviation accident near Southern Timbalier 52CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot overlooked the right rear tie-down during the preflight walk-around and attempted takeoff with the tie-down attached, resulting in a dynamic rollover. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A helicopter experienced a dynamic rollover after attempting takeoff with a tie-down still attached, resulting in substantial damage to the tailboom and right side.

Incident Overview

A helicopter, which had been tied down overnight on the helideck of an offshore oil platform, was prepared for its first flight of the day. The pilot reported that the preflight inspection had been completed several hours earlier, but during the subsequent walk-around, he failed to notice that the right rear tie-down remained connected to the fuselage. This tie-down was one of four attached to the helicopter.

Details

As the pilot initiated takeoff, the secured tie-down prevented the helicopter from lifting off normally. The restraint caused the aircraft to roll over dynamically while still on the helideck. The helicopter did not depart the platform; instead, it came to rest on the deck following the rollover.

Damage Assessment

The incident resulted in substantial damage to the tailboom and the right side of the helicopter. No other details regarding injuries or damage to the platform were provided.

Probable cause

The pilot overlooked the right rear tie-down during the preflight walk-around and attempted takeoff with the tie-down attached, resulting in a dynamic rollover.

Contributing factors

Pilot