Eurocopter France EC120B N588SC

Summary

On 13 May 2005 at about 19:25 local time, a Eurocopter France EC120B registered N588SC, operated by ERA Helicopters, was involved in an incident near S.Timbalier 265, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 May 2005 at 19:25

Classification

Incident

Location

S.Timbalier 265, United States

Coordinates

28.9408, -90.7700

Aircraft

Eurocopter France EC120B

Registration

N588SC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

ERA Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

S.Timbelier 265 → Fourchon

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW05IA119

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power as result of the failure of the oil pump assembly.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight approximately 14 miles south of Port Fourchon and while 500 feet above the water, the 2,117-hour pilot observed the engine low oil pressure light illuminate and shortly thereafter the helicopter lost total engine power. The pilot elected to turn into the wind, inflate the floats, and perform an autorotation to the water. After a successful autorotation, the pilot and passenger disembarked the helicopter without injury and were rescued. An examination of the engine on May 25, 2005 at Turbomeca USA revealed the total loss of engine power was a result of an interruption of engine lubrication due to excessive swelling of the oil pump assembly's check valve piston o-ring, part number 79-24-05-01-240.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.