Eurocopter AS350B2 N945PT

Summary

On 6 March 2003 at about 13:20 local time, a Eurocopter AS350B2 registered N945PT, operated by Taylor Energy Company, was involved in an accident near Venice, Louisiana, United States. 5 people were on board and 5 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 March 2003 at 13:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Venice, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

29.4333, -89.4594

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS350B2

Registration

N945PT

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Taylor Energy Company

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New Orleans → MS Canyon 20

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03LA106

5 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's inability to maintain directional control following a loss of tail rotor drive. A contributing factor was the fog.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter impacted water while maneuvering in a turn. The 16,000-hour pilot stated that a weather brief was obtained prior to departure, and the weather reported at Venice, Louisiana, near the intended destination was 2 1/2 statute miles visibility, with increasing visibilities and sky conditions improving. At approximately 0715 and 40 nautical miles northwest Boothville, Louisiana, deteriorating weather conditions developed. The pilot elected to execute a right turn and descend to an altitude where weather conditions were better, and sight of water was evident. At a slow rate of speed "estimated no faster than a walk," the tail rotor struck the water. The aircraft yawed to the left and a ditching maneuver was entered while close to the water at a slow speed. The aircraft impacted the water on its left side and immediately filled with water. Weather conditions at NEW at 0653 were reported as winds calm, visibility 1/2 statute mile, ceiling indefinite at 100 feet, and fog. Weather conditions at Boothville, Louisiana (BVE), 40 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 0751, were reported as winds from 180 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 1/4 statute mile, ceiling indefinite at 100 feet, and fog.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.