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NTSB Report
June 17, 1991 · Sikorsky S76A · N5418N
Ship Shoal 290K
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 1991
Injury Outcomes
10 injuries (10 serious injuries)
Location
Ship Shoal 290K
Aircraft
Sikorsky S76A
Tail Number
N5418N
Operator
Petroleum Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW91LA098
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.
NTSB Probable Cause
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.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSikorsky S76A
Tail NumberN5418N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPetroleum Helicopters
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30E · Turboshaft · 650
Seats14
People & Injuries
Injury Summary10 injuries (10 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious10
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total10
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO