20110324005029A

At approximately 2155 zulu, N32041 took off from an oil platform located at main pass 61A. Approximately the same time as the aircraft's take off, the oil platform was venting gas from the platform's flare boom. The flare boom points in a easterly direction. The aircraft was pointed with the nose between the compressors and the flare boom. The compressors were slightly to the left of the aircrft's nose and the flare boom was slightly to the right of the aircraft's nose. The aircraft was facing into the wind. Shortly after takeoff, and after clearing the platform, N32041 proceeded into a north eastery direction and experienced an engine event consistent with a compressor stall. The pilot and both passengers on board testified to hearing a loud bang and the helicopter then began to descend. The pilot then entered into autorotation and activated the floats. During the event, the pilot recalls looking at what was going on inside the cockpit then looking outside and noticed that his aircraft was descending in a more westerly direction. The aircraft then went into the gulf of Mexico where within a few seconds after making contact with the water the aircraft rolled to the right. The floats deployed normally. However, once the pilot was outside the aircraft he tried to pull both levers for the life rafts. The life rafts did not deploy in the water. The pilot and passengers suffered minor injuries. Approximately 10 minutes after the N30241 entered the water; a rescue boat arrived on seen. The pilot and both passengers entered the boat unassisted.