PAPILLON HELICOPTERS

Part 135 operator

Data confidence: Records are linked by certificate number, aircraft registration, or a name match that a reviewer has confirmed. Each record below shows how it was linked.

Also recorded as: PAPILLON HELIC, PAPILLON HELICOPTERS

Accident & enforcement record

Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.

NTSB accidents & incidents

Accident · 2000-09-18 Operator named in NTSB report
Sikorsky/Orlando S-55 (N17754) Minor injury Part 135

Operated by PAPILLON HELICOPTERS INC. (per NTSB report)

**This report was modified on 2/23/2016. Please refer to the public docket for this accident for more information.** The failure of Papillon maintenance personnel to recognize the significance of the increasing metal in the oil analysis test results and the illumination of the chip detector warning, the combination of which indicated internal engine wear that subsequently resulted in loss of engine drive to the rotor systems during flight. Contributing to the accident was National Flight Services' failure to properly torque the bull and sun gear retaining nut, which resulted in wear and the ultimate disengagement of the bull and sun gear.

Source: NTSB case LAX00FA342
Incident · 1994-02-28 Operator named in NTSB report
AEROSPATIALE AS-350D (N5771L) No injuries Part 135

Operated by PAPILLON HELICOPTERS INC. (per NTSB report)

THE OPERATOR MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S INADEQUATE 100-HOUR INSPECTION. THE LOOSE FUEL CONTROL LINE FITTING, THE TREE STUMP, AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT.

Source: NTSB case LAX94IA145
Accident · 1989-08-19 Operator named in NTSB report
AEROSPATIALE AS350D (N35970) Serious injury Part 135

Operated by PAPILLON HELICOPTERS, LTD (per NTSB report)

A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE POWER TURBINE SHAFT AND BEARINGS. THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF OIL STARVATION DUE TO AN EXCESSIVELY WORN CHIP DETECTOR O-RING SEAL,INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND PREFLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Source: NTSB case LAX89LA281
Accident · 1986-06-07 Operator named in NTSB report
BELL 206B (N29906) Serious injury Part 91

Operated by PAPILLON HELICOPTERS — On-demand air taxi (135) Operator Does Business As: (per NTSB report)

Source: NTSB case LAX86FA243
Accident · 1985-09-26 Operator named in NTSB report
AEROSPATIALE AS350D (N4268V) Fatal injury Part 135

Operated by PAPILLON HELICOPTERS, LTD (per NTSB report)

Source: NTSB case LAX85FA402
Accident · 1982-09-02 Operator named in NTSB report
BELL 206-L (N59358) Serious injury Part 135

Operated by PAPILLON HELICOPTERS LIMITED (per NTSB report)

Source: NTSB case LAX82DA330
Accident · 1980-11-02 Operator named in NTSB report
BELL 206L (N59358) Minor injury

Operated by PAPILLON HELIC (per NTSB report)

Source: NTSB case LAX81FJA03

FAA enforcement actions

No FAA enforcement actions linked to this operator.

Maintenance disclosure history

No maintenance difficulty reports on file. Note: SDR filing is largely voluntary, so absence is not evidence of a clean maintenance history.

Linked aircraft

N-numberMake / modelYearStatusLink basis
N17754Operator named in NTSB report
N29906Operator named in NTSB report
N35970Operator named in NTSB report
N4268VOperator named in NTSB report
N5771LLEADING EDGE AERIAL TECH INC PV100XValid RegistrationOperator named in NTSB report
N59358Operator named in NTSB report

Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate

Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.

  • N17754 — records 2000 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N5771L (LEADING EDGE AERIAL TECH INC PV100X) — records 1994 · registered to LEADING EDGE AERIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (owner ≠ operator)
  • N35970 — records 1989 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N29906 — records 1986 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N4268V — records 1985 · no longer on the FAA registry
  • N59358 — records 1980–1982 · no longer on the FAA registry