- Date
- December 5, 2013, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place
- Port Fourchon, LA
- Injuries
- 10 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N707MYSikorsky S 76B
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Settling with power/vortex ring state
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 13, 2014
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20131205024729A
- Case key
- 88542
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control of the helicopter when it entered a settling with power condition during sudden gusty wind conditions on takeoff resulting in the helicopter subsequently impacting terrain.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was departing from a helipad and all cockpit instrument indications were "in green" status. Wind was very calm to none and the pilot verified it by looking at two flags on an offshore vessel. Another aircraft took off from the helipad and departed to the east. The pilot hover taxied to the west of the flight area with a right petal turn. He rechecked the instruments, which were "all normal." He added power and the flight was normal as the helicopter was climbing. The helicopter was about 40 to 50 feet over a roadway and it started to settle. He added more power and it looked as if it was going to recover. Then the helicopter started to sink again. There were occupied trailers under the helicopter and obstacles blocking a nearby field. The pilot elected to head left of course for less impact with anything on the ground or with property. The helicopter impacted terrain where it sustained substantial tailboom and fuselage damage. The pilot reported that the helicopter was within weight and balance requirements and that there were no mechanical malfunctions. Following the impact, he noticed that the previously observed flags were now showing the wind was blowing and gusting from the southwest direction.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he was departing from a helipad and all cockpit instrument indications were "in green" status. Wind was very calm to none and the pilot verified it by looking at two flags on an offshore vessel. Another aircraft took off from the helipad and departed to the east. The pilot hover taxied to the west of the flight area with a right petal turn. He rechecked the instruments, which were "all normal." He added power and the flight was normal as the helicopter was climbing. The helicopter was about 40 to 50 feet over a roadway and it started to settle. He added more power and it looked as if it was going to recover. Then the helicopter started to sink again. There were occupied trailers under the helicopter and obstacles blocking a nearby field. The pilot elected to head left of course for less impact with anything on the ground or with property. The helicopter impacted terrain where it sustained substantial tailboom and fuselage damage. The pilot reported that the helicopter was within weight and balance requirements and that there were no mechanical malfunctions. Following the impact, he noticed that the previously observed flags were now showing the wind was blowing and gusting from the southwest direction.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N707MY
- Reported as
- Sikorsky S 76B (B)
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 760327
- Built
- 1986
- Airframe hours
- 9,229
- Engines
- P&W PT6B, 1,033 horsepower, turbo shaftP&W PT6B, 1,033 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 135
- Operator
- Mayeux'S Flying Service Inc
- Registered owner
- Mayeux'S Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Transport
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · December 2, 2013
- Departed
- LS97 · Port Fourchon, LA
- Destination
- GC18 · Offshore, GM
- Airport
- LS97 · Myu
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 49
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter, Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- December 2, 2012
- Seat
- Right
- Restraint
- 3-point
- Flight hours
- 20,000 total · 500 in this make and model · 20,000 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 1,500 ft broken
- Altimeter
- 30.01 inHg
- Observed at
- K9F2
Docket · 3
The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 6, 2014, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 522 KB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.