Sikorsky S-76C++ N798P

Summary

On 24 December 2009 at about 18:31 local time, a Sikorsky S-76C++ registered N798P, operated by Petroleum Helicopters International, Inc, was involved in an accident near Gulf of Mexico, United States. 7 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 December 2009 at 18:31

Classification

Accident

Location

Gulf of Mexico, United States

Coordinates

28.9680, -90.6455

Aircraft

Sikorsky S-76C++

Registration

N798P

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Petroleum Helicopters International, Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Boothville → Gulf of Mexico

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10FA079

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to fully land the helicopter prior to entering a turn in strong, crosswind conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot made an approach to the off-shore platform landing pad directly into a 30-knot headwind. Upon landing, the tail rotor was blocking the emergency exit, so the pilot maneuvered the wheeled helicopter approximately 70 degrees to the right while the copilot made sure the tail rotor was clear of the exit. As the pilot was completing the turn, the helicopter began to roll rapidly to the right and onto its right side. The main rotor blades made contact with the platform and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Data downloaded from the flight data recorder and enhanced ground proximity warning system revealed the pilot did not fully land the helicopter prior to the ground taxi and still had a high power setting, a high nose attitude, and the collective was not in the full down position as it was being repositioned. As a result, the helicopter entered a dynamic rollover.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.