Eurocopter France AS355 F1 N355D
9 March 2002 · Savannah, Georgia, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 9 March 2002 at about 01:00 local time, a Eurocopter France AS355 F1 registered N355D was involved in an accident near Savannah, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 01:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Savannah, Georgia, United States
- Coordinates
- 32.0610, -81.1073
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter France AS355 F1
- Registration
- N355D
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Savannah → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night
- NTSB number
- ATL02FA062
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to follow operating procedures and, experienced spatial disorientation while attempting a night landing to an offshore platform. A factor was a dark night.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
A helicopter was transporting a passenger to an offshore platform after official sunset. According to the witness, as they waited on the platform to receive the helicopter they saw lights drop into the ocean. The pilot was recovered by the U.S. Coast Guard and transported to a hospital. The passenger onboard the helicopter was not located until the following day. The helicopter was found 35 miles off the coast in approximately 87 feet of water. Examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical or flight control malfunctions were discovered with the helicopter. According to the Department of Interior policies, helicopter operation shall be limited to daylight hours, and under visual weather conditions only when operating to and from off-shore platforms. The main deck of the platform is 71 feet above sea level. The helicopter landing area is 43 feet long by 43 feet wide, and was not equipped with lights for night operation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2002 | Hispano Aviacion HA-200-SAETA | Perry, Georgia, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 13 Jun 2002 | Harrison PIETENPOL AIR CAMPER | Bainbridge, Georgia, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Sep 2002 | Piper PA-32RT-300 | St. Simons Island, Georgia, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Jul 2002 | Beechcraft BE-76 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Anthony Walker | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 2002 | Aero Commander S2R | Cochran, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 15 Aug 2002 | Cessna 150J | Brunswick, Georgia, United States | Johnnie R. Courson | Fatal | 1 |