What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) Helicopter's engine had a chip light. Immediately after chip light illumination, the engine started making grinding noises and failed. Pilot entered helicopter into an autorotation and safely landed the helicopter in the Gulf Of Mexico (block ec 109) with floats deployed (minor damage noted). Helicopter received further damage when it was flipped over onto its back by six to eight foot waves and through the recovery process. Engine teardown inspection indicated #3 turbine wheel failure during engine operation.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) HELICOPTER'S ENGINE HAD A CHIP LIGHT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHIP LIGHT ILLUMINATION, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND FAILED. PILOT ENTERED HELICOPTER INTO AN AUTOROTATION AND SAFELY LANDED THE HELICOPTER IN THE GULF OF MEXICO (BLOCK EC 109) WITH FLOATS DEPLOYED (MINOR DAMAGE NOTED). HELICOPTER RECEIVED FURTHER DAMAGE WHEN IT WAS FLIPPED OVER ONTO ITS BACK BY SIX TO EIGHT FOOT WAVES AND THROUGH THE RECOVERY PROCESS. ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION INDICATED #3 TURBINE WHEEL FAILURE DURING ENGINE OPERATION.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.