Updates On Investigations
From the
NTSB...
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board's
aviation regional offices are investigating three separate
helicopter accidents that happened from June 24-27. Below are
updates on those investigations.
Vermillion Bay, Louisiana
On June 24, 2004, at approximately 1:50 p.m. CDT, a Bell 206-L1
(file photo of type, below), N5006F, registered to and operated by
American Helicopters Inc. (AHI), of Angleton, Texas, was destroyed
when it impacted water in the Gulf of Mexico, near Vermillion Bay,
Louisiana. The commercial pilot and two passengers sustained
fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions
prevailed throughout the area of the accident, and a company flight
following plan was filed for the on-demand air taxi
flight.
The AHI flight was contracted by Flow Petroleum Services of
Lafayette, Louisiana, to transport personnel from offshore
platforms to Abbeville, Louisiana. Recorded excerpts
extracted from the operator's flight following system revealed that
the helicopter departed from offshore platform East Cameron 321 at
12:13 p.m., en route to Eugene Island 349, with one passenger and
three hours of fuel onboard. The 70-nautical mile flight
arrived on offshore platform Eugene Island 349 at 12:52 p.m., and
picked up a second passenger. The flight departed Eugene
Island 349 at 12:58 p.m., with three persons and 2.15 hours of fuel
onboard. The estimated time of arrival at Abbeville was 1:55
p.m.
At 1:29 p.m., the pilot contacted the AHI flight following
service with a normal position report and reported inbound to
Abbeville. At 1:37 p.m., the pilot radioed a change to his
destination from Abbeville to Intercoastal City, Louisiana.
The pilot did not give a reason for the change of destination.
During the radio call, the pilot gave an estimated time of arrival
time of 1:50 p.m., with 45 miles and 1.15 hours of fuel
remaining. At 1:51 p.m., AHI flight following attempted to
contact the accident aircraft; however, no communication was
established.
The pilots of a helicopter operating in the vicinity of
Intercoastal City reported that they heard a Mayday call
approximately 1:50 p.m. They stated that they heard
"Mayday-Mayday-Mayday," then asked for a location with no
response. They then heard another "Mayday-Mayday-Mayday,
going in the water." No further communications or reported distress
calls were heard by the pilots and there were no reported
eyewitnesses.
The main wreckage was located in 25 feet of water approximately
500 yards from the north shore of Vermillion Bay, Louisiana.
The tail boom and vertical fin were found approximately 1 mile
northeast of the main wreckage area. The wreckage was transported
to a hangar located in Carencro, Louisiana, for a detailed
examination. Assisting in the investigation were
representatives from Rolls Royce (the engine manufacturer), Bell
Helicopter, and AHI. Damage to the airframe structure, flight
controls, and engine, was consistent with water impact in an
abnormal attitude. The skid mounted float system was not
deployed. No preimpact mechanical anomalies have been noted
in the recovered wreckage. The transmission, main rotor hub
and mast assembly, and main rotor blades have not been found, and
search efforts continue for these and any other missing components.
The engine was recovered and will undergo a detailed examination at
a later date.
At 1:21 p.m., the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm
Prediction Center issued a Severe Thunderstorm watch for portions
of Louisiana, Mississippi, and coastal waters. The last
position reported by the pilot at 1:37 p.m. appeared to cross the
southeast portion of the watch area. Microbursts, downbursts,
heavy rain, moderate and greater turbulence and local IFR
conditions were implied by the advisory. The accident site
was located within the boundary of the advisory.
The investigator-in-charge for this accident is Alex Lemishko of
the South Central Regional Office in Arlington, Texas. The
NTSB identification number for this investigation is
FTW04FA168.
Cushing, Oklahoma
On June 26, 2004, at approximately 8:45 pm CDT, a Bell 206B
single-engine helicopter (file photo of type, below), N27TV, was
destroyed when it impacted the water following an in-flight
collision with power lines while maneuvering near Cushing,
Oklahoma. The helicopter was owned and operated by Interstate
Helicopters, Inc., of Oklahoma City. The commercial pilot and a
passenger sustained fatal injuries, and three passengers were
seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions
prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
The main wreckage was located in the middle of the Cimarron
River in approximately 4 to 5 feet of water. The fuselage
came to rest inverted and was 90 percent submerged. The tail boom
and main rotor system were separated from the fuselage. Witnesses
around the city of Cushing have reported that prior to the
accident, the helicopter was "hot-dogging" around the city.
Several people also reported that they thought the helicopter might
have had some problems because of the erratic way it was
flying.
Examination of the accident site revealed that the helicopter's
direction of flight over the river was from east to west. The
helicopter impacted and severed three power lines, owned and
maintained by Oklahoma Gas and Electric, that were located
approximately 200-300 yards from where the main wreckage was
located. The unmarked power lines crossed the Cimarron River and
were approximately 30 to 40 feet above the river. A review of
the wreckage found wire arc burns and scratches located on the mast
and pitch change control tubes. No evidence of a wire strike
was noted on the fuselage or skid assembly.
The investigator-in-charge for this accident is Aaron Sauer of
the South Central Regional Office in Arlington, Texas.
Assisting him in the investigation are the FAA, Bell Helicopter,
and Rolls Royce. The NTSB identification number for this
investigation is FTW04FA167.
Barnesville, Georgia
On June 27, 2004 at 5:30 a.m. EDT, a Robinson Helicopter R44
(file photo of type, below), N441MG, registered to and operated by
MG Aviation, collided with trees during a cross-country flight in a
residential area in Barnesville, Georgia. Instrument
meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and
no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial
damage. The certified flight instructor (CFI), and two passengers
were fatally injured. The flight originated from
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Greer, South Carolina
that day at approximately 3:00 am.
According to the chief pilot of MG Aviation, the CFI and his two
friends were at a musical concert the night before until
approximately 1:30 a.m. After the concert they went over to the
flight school to check the weather with the Flight Service Station.
After the briefing, the briefer told the CFI that VFR flight was
not recommended. The pilot printed out the weather report at 2:30
a.m., and departed the airport approximately 30 minutes later. No
further contact with the pilot was reported.
According to a witness in the vicinity of the accident, at 5:30
a.m., a helicopter was heard over the residential area in
Barnesville, Georgia. Shortly afterward, an explosion was heard.
Witnesses and first responders reported that the weather at the
time of the accident was foggy and wet. When witnesses searched the
area, the downed helicopter was found engulfed in flames. Efforts
by witnesses and first responders to extinguish the flames were
unsuccessful. No radio communication was received from the pilot
prior to the accident. The purpose of the flight is still
undetermined.
The investigator-in-charge for this accident is Eric Alleyne of
the Southern Regional office in Atlanta, Georgia. The NTSB
identification number for this investigation is ATL04FA141.