Incident Overview
A helicopter departed from Erath Helistop as the third aircraft in a series of flights heading to Vermilion 149, an offshore location in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of the flight was to conduct a crew change. When the pilot failed to arrive at the destination, a search was initiated. The helicopter was reported overdue, prompting the search operation.
Wreckage Discovery
The wreckage was located along the intended route of flight, approximately one mile from the shore. All major components of the helicopter were found within a 100-foot radius of the main wreckage. The debris field was relatively concentrated, with components near the main site.
Investigation Findings
During the reconstruction of the helicopter, control continuity was established. This indicates that the flight control system was intact. A review of the airframe and engine maintenance records was conducted. The review did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects.