# NTSB CEN14CA082: Sikorsky S 76B, N707MY, Port Fourchon, LA, December 5, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 5, 2013, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Port Fourchon, LA - Coordinates: 29.929721, -90.353889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9297&lon=-90.3539&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 10 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88542 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88542/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88542 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA082 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Sikorsky S-76B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8143007), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N707MY-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N 760327, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIKORSKY S 76B (B) - Registry model: [Sikorsky S-76B](https://openairdocs.org/model/sikorsky-s-76b) (registry code 8143007) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6-series) (registry code 52033, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 760327 - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 9229 - Engines: P&W PT6B 1033 horsepower turbo shaft; P&W PT6B 1033 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; 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 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20131205024729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131205024729A), Dec 5, 2013: Sikorsky S-76B, Port Fourchon, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that after liftoff, at approximately 50 feet he felt the wind change direction. At this point the aircraft began to lose lift and settled with… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 6, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88542. 522 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 370 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408125&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408126&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.