No fatalities

4 May 2009: BELL 407 — ROTORCRAFT LEASING CO LLC — High Island 138

High Island 138, United States

On 4 May 2009, a BELL 407 operated by ROTORCRAFT LEASING CO LLC was involved in an aviation accident near High Island 138. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the windsock during the approach. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 15 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During an approach to an offshore oil platform, a commercial pilot's helicopter struck a windsock on a crane with its tail rotor, causing substantial damage to the tail boom before landing safely on the helideck.

Incident Overview

A commercial pilot was conducting an approach to an offshore oil platform. The pilot positioned the helicopter to land directly into the wind. The intended flight path required crossing over a crane that had a windsock mounted on top. Although the pilot observed the obstructions, the approach was continued toward the helideck.

Sequence of Events

As the helicopter flew over the crane, its tail rotor made contact with the windsock. This impact resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter's tail boom section. Despite the damage, the pilot managed to land the helicopter on the oil platform's helideck.

Damage and Outcome

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom due to the contact with the windsock. The pilot successfully landed the damaged aircraft on the helideck, ending the incident without further complications. No other details about the helicopter, its occupants, or subsequent actions were provided in the source.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Wind sock