Accident Bell 206L-1 N5745M, Tuesday 24 January 1984

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Date:	Tuesday 24 January 1984
Time:	15:00 LT
Type:	Bell 206L-1
Owner/operator:	Petroleum Helicopters Inc
Registration:	N5745M
MSN:
Engine model:	Allison 250-C28B
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Venice, LA - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:	Main Pass Blk77, GM
Destination airport:	Venice, LA
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
ABOUT 10 MIN AFTER DEPARTING AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED AN AREA OF FOG. HE DESCENDED TO APRX 200 FT, SLOWED TO 40 KTS & STARTED TURNING BACK. AS HE WAS TURNING, HE WAS LOOKING TO THE RIGHT TO LOCATE A PETROLEUM PRODUCTION FACILITY TO USE AS A REFERENCE POINT WHEN THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE WATER & CRASHED. NO SERIOUS INJURIES OCCURRED, BUT RESCUE WAS DELAYED ABOUT 5 HRS DUE TO DETERIORATING WX.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: