Bell 407 N53LP

Summary

On 13 August 2013 at about 18:10 local time, a Bell 407 registered N53LP, operated by Panther Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Ship Shoal 208H, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 August 2013 at 18:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Ship Shoal 208H, United States

Coordinates

28.5333, -90.9167

Aircraft

Bell 407

Registration

N53LP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Panther Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ship Shoal 208H → Ship Shoal 209A

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13FA491

3 people had minor injuries.

The ingestion of vented methane gas into the helicopter’s engine during takeoff, which caused an engine compressor surge that led to a total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter departed from an offshore oil platform with the pilot and two passengers onboard. The pilot reported that he heard a loud "bang" just after the turboshaft-powered helicopter lifted off. The low rotor rpm horn sounded, and the pilot subsequently maneuvered the helicopter for a forced water landing and deployed the float system. The helicopter sustained substantial damage when its main rotor blades impacted the water, which resulted in the engine and transmission separating from the helicopter. The three occupants were subsequently rescued from the helicopter by boat. The platform was venting methane gas on the day of the accident; the pilot was not informed about the vented gas. Examination of the helicopter's engine revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A review of data from the helicopter's engine monitoring system (EMS) revealed that, just after liftoff, the engine accelerated at an excessive rate while the full-authority digital electronic engine control system reduced the metered fuel to the engine. The data also revealed that an engine surge occurred followed by an engine flameout. The pilot's report that he heard a bang during takeoff and the EMS data are consistent with the engine experiencing a compressor surge due to the ingestion of vented methane gas.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.