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NTSB Report
February 19, 1985 · Sikorsky S-76A · N31223
Houma, LA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 19, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Houma, LA
Aircraft
Sikorsky S-76A
Tail Number
N31223
Operator
Ems
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LA119
THE AIRCREW HAD JUST COMPLETED A MEDIVAC FLT & WERE REPOSITIONING THE HELICOPTER TO THE HOME BASE. WHILE THEY WERE EN ROUTE, THE COMPANY DISPATCHER INFORMED THE CREW THAT FOG WAS MOVING INTO THE AREA & THAT THEY HAD BETTER HURRY. DURING THE NIGHT APCH, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, ABOUT 300 WEST OF THE THRESHOLD TO RWY 18. THE CREW STATED THAT THE LAST THING THEY REMEMBER WAS BEING AT 250 FT AGL WHILE ATTEMPTING A VFR APCH. ONE PLT WAS MONITORING THE INSTRUMENTS WHILE THE OTHER WAS ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN THE RWY ENVIRONMENT. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED & THE PLTS WERE QUALIFIED TO MAKE AN INSTRUMENT APCH.
Full Narrative
THE AIRCREW HAD JUST COMPLETED A MEDIVAC FLT & WERE REPOSITIONING THE HELICOPTER TO THE HOME BASE. WHILE THEY WERE EN ROUTE, THE COMPANY DISPATCHER INFORMED THE CREW THAT FOG WAS MOVING INTO THE AREA & THAT THEY HAD BETTER HURRY. DURING THE NIGHT APCH, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, ABOUT 300 WEST OF THE THRESHOLD TO RWY 18. THE CREW STATED THAT THE LAST THING THEY REMEMBER WAS BEING AT 250 FT AGL WHILE ATTEMPTING A VFR APCH. ONE PLT WAS MONITORING THE INSTRUMENTS WHILE THE OTHER WAS ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN THE RWY ENVIRONMENT. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED & THE PLTS WERE QUALIFIED TO MAKE AN INSTRUMENT APCH.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:30 CST
Nearest AirportHouma-Terrebonne (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSikorsky S-76A
Tail NumberN31223
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorEms
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C30 · Turboshaft · 650
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT