What happened
The incident occurred when the helicopter experienced a total loss of power shortly after lifting off from a drill rig platform situated approximately 130 feet above the water in the Gulf of Mexico. Following the sudden failure, the pilot initiated an autorotation to maintain control and attempt a safe landing on the water below. However, the subsequent touchdown during the ditching maneuver was hard, which caused the helicopter to roll over upon impact.
The investigation
Post-accident testing was conducted to determine the root cause of the power failure. These examinations did not reveal any evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction within the aircraft systems prior to the event. This finding suggests that the loss of power was likely due to an external factor or operational issue rather than a pre-existing defect in the helicopter's mechanics.
Findings
Several critical factors contributed to the outcome of this accident. The primary cause was the total loss of power immediately after takeoff, which left the pilot with limited options for recovery. Additionally, the emergency flotation gear did not fully inflate until after the helicopter had already rolled over, rendering it ineffective in preventing the rollover or ensuring buoyancy during the initial impact. The hard touchdown during the ditching phase resulted in significant structural stress, leading to the final position of the aircraft.