N5418N
SIKORSKY S76A
DURING A LANDING AT AN OFF SHORE OIL RIG THE PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC) ALLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO DRIFT AND PLACED THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR OFF THE PLATFORM ONTO THE SAFETY APRON. THE PIC UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TWO REPOSITIONING MANEUVERS AND THEN DECIDED TO TAKEOFF AND LAND AGAIN. DURING THE TAKEOFF FROM A HOVER THE PIC APPLIED INCREASED COLLECTIVE. THE HELICOPTER RESPONDED BY TURNING RIGHT AROUND ITS VERTICAL AXIS. THE CO-PILOT (CP) INTERPRETERED THE RIGHT TURN AS A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, SO HE BROUGHT BOTH ENGINES OFF LINE BY REDUCING THE SPEED LEVERS TO GROUND IDLE. THE ACTION OF THE CP WAS TAKEN WITHOUT COORDINATION OR ANNOUNCEMENT TO HIS PIC. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE PLATFORM AND THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO THE WATER. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE DISCOVERED.
THE COPILOT'S REDUCTION OF POWER TO GROUND IDLE ON BOTH ENGINES. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S POOR LANDING TECHNIQUE AND HIS FAILURE TO ESTABLISH ADEQUATE CREW COORDINATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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