4 May 2009: BELL 407 — ROTORCRAFT LEASING CO LLC

4 May 2009: BELL 407 — ROTORCRAFT LEASING CO LLC

No fatalities • High Island 138, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the windsock during the approach.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The commercial pilot was approaching an off-shore oil platform and positioned the helicopter to land "into the wind." The intended flight path crossed over a crane with a windsock on top. Having observed the obstructions, the pilot continued the approach to the helideck. As the helicopter overflew the crane, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted the windsock resulting in substantial damage to the helicopter's tail boom section. The pilot was able to land the damaged helicopter on the oil platform's helideck.

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • Wind sock

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 090/08kt, vis 4sm

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