N22841
BELL 206B
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT, UPON TAKEOFF FROM THE OFFSHORE PLATFORM, THE AIRCRAFT 'PITCHED NOSE DOWN AND BEGAN TO SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY.' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE WATER. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE LEFT FRONT AIRCRAFT TIE-DOWN HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.
On October 25, 1993, at 1650 central daylight time, a Bell 206B, N22841, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a platform in the High Island Block 467, Gulf of Mexico. The commercial pilot and the one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the on demand air taxi flight. A company VFR flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he lifted off of the offshore platform into the wind and proceeded to move forward from a high hover. He further stated that the aircraft then "pitched nose down" and "began to spin uncontrollably and went inverted." Subsequently, the aircraft impacted the water. An on site investigation by the operator revealed that the left front aircraft tie-down had not been removed prior to takeoff. One end of the tie-down remained attached to the platform and the other held the aircraft's jack point attachment.
WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND HIS FAILURE TO REMOVE ALL OF THE AIRCRAFT TIE-DOWNS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
