N104LP

On March 12, 2012, a Bell 206L-3 (N104LP) was involved in an incident near Southern Timbalier 52CA, USA. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection when he did not remove a tie-down strap prior to takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

The helicopter was tied down overnight on the helideck of an offshore oil platform. The pilot stated the helicopter preflight had been completed hours prior to the first flight. During the walk-around prior to the first flight of the day, he overlooked the right rear tie-down which was one of four connected to the fuselage. The pilot attempted to takeoff with the tie-down still attached to the helicopter which resulted in a dynamic rollover. The helicopter remained on the helideck. Substantial damage resulted to the tailboom and the right side of the helicopter.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN12CA191. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N104LP.