Flight Details
The helicopter, carrying two pilots and thirteen passengers, was on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight to a position in the Gulf of Mexico. From that position, the flight continued under visual flight rules (VFR) to an offshore oil drilling rig designated EI-190.
Approach and Accident
As the helicopter approached from the southeast, a strong wind was blowing from the northeast. The landing platform (helipad) was located on the northwest side of the rig. The pilot elected to make an approach to the helipad by flying parallel to the upwind (northeast) side of the rig, rather than going around the downwind side and approaching the helipad by flying into the wind.
After proceeding to an area in the vicinity of the helipad, the pilot turned the helicopter to the right and aligned it in the direction of the wind. The helicopter was then observed to drift rearward and to the right until the main rotor blades collided with the northwest leg of the oil rig. The helicopter subsequently crashed on the oil rig and was destroyed by impact and fire.
Wind Conditions
A study conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) showed that the wind was from 040 degrees at 35 knots.