N2623
BELL 206L-1
THE HELICOPTER WAS LANDED ON AN OIL RIG PLATFORM FOR REFUELING. THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE TURNED INTO THE WIND AND TOOK OFF. AS THE HELICOPTER CLEARED THE PLATFORM, IT YAWED LEFT AND PITCHED NOSE DOWN. THE PILOT APPLIED COLLECTIVE TO CUSHION HIS LANDING AND DEPLOYED THE POP-OUT FLOATS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN FIVE FOOT SEAS, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED INVERTED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR. AFTER SOME DIFFICULTY, HE EGRESSED THROUGH ONE OF THE REAR DOORS. AN INSPECTION OF THE OIL RIG HELIDECK REVEALED THAT THE REFUELING HOSE WAS LYING OVER THE SIDE OF THE DECK AND THE HOSE NOZZLE WAS MISSING. BLUE PAINT WAS FOUND ON THE HOSE. THE SKIDS AND BOTTOM OF THE HELICOPTER WERE PAINTED WITH THE SAME SHADE OF BLUE PAINT. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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