STUART, FL, USA
N51DC
BELL 206B
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER FLYING AT 100 TO 150 FT ABOVE THE WATER & ABOUT 100 YDS OFFSHORE. THEY OBSERVED & HEARD NOTHING UNUSUAL, EXCEPT THEY SAID THE HELICOPTER BEGAN DESCENDING UNTIL IT IMPACTED THE WATER. THE REAR DOORS HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR THE FLT. BOTH PASSENGERS RELATED THAT A SEAT CUSHION WAS LOOSE AND THE PLT TURNED IN HIS SEAT WITH HIS ARM BEHIND THE SEAT & WAS TRYING TO SECURE THE CUSHION WHEN THE HELICOPTER SUDDENLY DESCENDED INTO THE WATER. NEITHER PASSENGER NOTICED ANYTHING UNUSUAL IN THE OPERATION OF THE HELICOPTER BEFORE IT CRASHED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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