BELL 206-L4 near Mobile Block 114CC — 2011-05-13

Final reportERA11LA297

Date: 2011-05-13
Location: Mobile Block 114CC, USA
Aircraft: BELL 206-L4
Registration: N266P
Category: Helicopter
Highest injury: Serious
Fatalities: 0
Phase of flight: Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s operation of the helicopter with a left, quartering headwind, resulting in conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after liftoff from the production platform helideck, the pilot observed that the helicopter began an uncommanded slow yaw to the right. The pilot applied full left pedal, which had no effect. He lowered the collective, rolled the throttle to idle, and deployed the emergency floats. The helicopter impacted the water and rolled over. A postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure. Tail rotor system continuity was confirmed. The pilot reported that, just prior to the loss of directional control, there was a left, quartering headwind. This condition could have put the helicopter in an area of main rotor disc interference with the tail rotor, which could have resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.