Incident Overview
A helicopter operating from a barge experienced an accident during takeoff when a rope net covering the helipad deck became entangled in its landing gear. Witnesses reported that the net, which was loosely secured on the stern of the barge, lifted as the helicopter rose to a hover and caught on the rear of the left skid. The helicopter hovered momentarily with the net tangled in the left skid before the net suddenly released.
Sequence of Events
According to witness accounts, immediately after the net released, the helicopter pitched nose-up and banked violently to the left. It struck a crane and a davit before falling overboard and sinking. A surviving passenger seated next to the pilot stated that after the helicopter hovered for a moment, the pilot leaned over and asked, "Are we hung up?" just before the helicopter banked left and collided with the structures.
Wreckage Examination
Both of the helicopter's skids and other wreckage were found caught on the davit after the accident. Examination of the skids revealed strands of rope material caught between the bolt head and skid flange for the left ground handling bolt, consistent with the net entanglement.
Conclusion
The accident involved a helicopter that became entangled in a rope net on a barge helipad, resulting in a sudden loss of control and collision with nearby structures. The aircraft subsequently sank after falling overboard.