20020308003029A

(.19) On March 8, 2002, at 2000 eastern standard time, a Eurocopter AS355/F1, N355D, registered and operated by sk logistics, inc., ditched 45 miles east off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, in the atlantic ocean, while maneuvering for an approach to an off-shore platform. The public use flight was operated under the provisions of title 14 CFR 135 with a dvfr flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter sank in 80 feet of water and is presumed to be substantially damaged. The commercial rated helicopter pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Savannah, Georgia, at 1900. The operator reported that the flight was enroute from the R-5 to the R-2 platform. According to a witness on the R-2 platform, the pilot radioed that he was on approach to land on R-2. The witness went outside on to the platform to receive the helicopter. When she arrived outside, she saw lights off in the distance in the water. She went back inside and telephoned the coast guard and reported that the helicopter did not arrive. (-23) the PIC topped off the fuel and departed savanah int'l airport at 1630 on an FAR part 135 flight to pick up 2 passengers at separate off shore microwave towers, R5 20 miles off shore and R2 30 miles off shore. At approximately 2008 hrs. The PIC made radio contact with R2 tower passenger to notify of visual contact and final approach. The R2 tower passenger (dorothy bach) notified the coast guard and reported the helicopter down at approximately 2012 hrs; the pilot was airlifted to the hospital in savanah but did not survive due to hypothermia. The passenger that was on board, from R5 tower, when the helicopter crashed did not survive the accident. The helicopter has not been located on the ocean floor. The available aircraft records do not show initial or recurring compliance with AD2002-03-52E.