PORT O'CONNOR, TX, USA
N882BT
Bell B206LI
THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED AT DAWN FOR A VFR FLIGHT FROM A COASTAL BASE EN ROUTE TO AN OFFSHORE OIL PLATFORM DURING IMC. THE CEILING WAS LOW AND RAIN SHOWERS WERE PASSING THROUGH THE AREA. AFTER THE HELICOPTER FLEW PAST THE SHORELINE IT PENETRATED A HEAVY RAIN SHOWER. THE PILOT DESCENDED THE HELICOPTER AND ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH A LIGHT ON AN OIL PLATFORM LOCATED IN HIS LINE OF SIGHT. THE RIGHT SKID DIPPED INTO THE WATER AND THE HELICOPTER TUMBLED FORWARD AND IMPACTED THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT IT WAS DARK DURING THE DEPARTURE WITH THE LIGHT ON THE RIG THE ONLY THING VISIBLE. HE REMEMBERED THE PILOT FLYING THE HELICOPTER INTO THE WATER WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR HORNS ACTIVATED PRIOR TO IMPACT.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY INTO THE KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AND THE WEATHER/LIGHT CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
