Incident Overview
A helicopter pilot was attempting to fly from an offshore location to a company onshore base along the Texas coast. Weather conditions were instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) along the entire coast, with fog reported both on and offshore. During the flight, the pilot elected on several occasions to change destinations in an attempt to get onshore.
Communications and Search
The last communications with the pilot indicated the helicopter was approximately 20 miles offshore from its intended destination. Following the loss of contact, a search was conducted. The pilot and the helicopter were not recovered; however, several parts from the helicopter were recovered and identified.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The helicopter was equipped for basic visual flight rules (VFR) flight only. The pilot lacked recent instrument flight time, as per the investigation report.
Conclusion
The investigation did not provide a specific probable cause for the loss. The circumstances surrounding the flight, including the weather conditions and the pilot's actions, were documented.