FTW03LA163

During the dark night offshore flight over the Gulf of Mexico, the single-engine helicopter impacted the water. A partial debris field was located; however, the helicopter was not recovered and was presumed destroyed. A company dispatcher stated that the pilot departed the mainland with a load of parts for an offshore platform. For the flight to the platform, the pilot estimated an en route time of 1 hour and 30 minutes and estimated a total fuel on board of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The airline transport rated pilot had accumulated approximately 15,000 flight hours. The operator reported that the airframe and engine had accumulated approximately 730 total hours. The helicopter flight manual and helicopter maintenance records were aboard the helicopter and not recovered. The date and type of the most recent continuous airworthiness inspection was not determined. According to the autopsy report, "[the pilot] died as a result of multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a helicopter accident." The results of the toxicological test were negative for alcohol and all screened drug substances.

History of flight

On May 29, 2003, approximately 0400 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 single-engine helicopter, N7188K, was destroyed when it impacted the water near Brazos Block 532, in the Gulf of Mexico. The airline transport rated pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Tarlton Helicopters, Inc., Houston, Texas. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 non-scheduled, on-demand air cargo flight. The flight departed the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), near Houston, at 0320, and was destined for an offshore platform located at the Mustang Island Area East Addition, Block A-133, in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to the operator, the 73-year-old pilot departed HOU with a load of parts needed at an offshore platform. The pilot estimated an en-route time of 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the 70 nautical mile flight, and estimated a total fuel on board of 2 hours and 30 minutes. After the pilot was reported missing, a search was initiated.

On May 29, 2003, approximately 1100, the body of the pilot and debris from the helicopter were located by the U.S. Coast Guard, at 28 degrees 19.15 minutes north latitude, and 95 degrees 56.2 minutes west longitude. The ocean depth in the vicinity of the debris field was estimated to average from 100 to 120 feet. According to a Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) inspector, the debris that was located included two skid float assemblies, cushions, and miscellaneous items. The helicopter was not recovered and is presumed destroyed.

Personnel information

A review of the FAA records revealed the pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with rotorcraft-helicopter and airplane single-engine land ratings, and he also held a commercial certificate with airplane single-engine sea and airplane multi-engine land ratings. The pilot was issued a second class medical certificate on October 8, 2002, with a limitation for wearing corrective lenses. The certificate was not valid for any class after October 30, 2003.

The operator reported the pilot had accumulated a total of approximately 15,000 hours in all aircraft, 7,500 hours in rotorcraft, and 107 hours in the make and model of the accident helicopter. The pilot had flown approximately 2 hours in the previous 90 days.

Aircraft information

The 2001 model Robinson R44 Clipper, serial number 1073, was powered by a six-cylinder Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (serial number L-25926-40A) engine, normally rated at 260 horsepower. The helicopter was equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

The operator reported the airframe and engine had accumulated approximately 730 total hours. The helicopter flight manual and helicopter maintenance records were aboard the helicopter and not recovered. The date and type of the most recent continuous airworthiness inspection was not determined.

Meteorological information

At 0253, the HOU Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), located on-shore approximately 40 nautical miles northeast of the debris field, reported the wind from 240 degrees at 3 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, sky clear, temperature 66 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 61 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury.

At 0353, the Palacios (PSX) ASOS, Palacios, Texas, located on-shore approximately 15 nautical miles northwest of the debris field, reported the wind from 280 degrees at 3 knots, 8 statute miles visibility, sky clear, temperature 70 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury.

The U.S. Naval Observatory reported the moonrise was at 0528.

Pathological information

An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the deputy medical examiner, Office of the Medical Examiner of Travis County Forensic Center, Austin, Texas, on May 30, 2003, and specimens were retained for toxicological analysis by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute's (CAMI) Forensic and Accident Research Center. According to the autopsy report, "[the pilot] died as a result of multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a helicopter accident."

The results of the toxicological test were negative for alcohol and all screened drug substances.