Flight History
On March 10, 2019, at about 1203 central daylight time, a Bell 407 helicopter, registration N577AL, was destroyed in an accident near Galliano, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The helicopter was operated by Bristow US LLC under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an on-demand passenger flight.
The flight departed from Bristow US LLC Heliport (2LS0), Galliano, Louisiana, around 1155, destined for an offshore platform at Viosca Knoll (VK956) in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 69 nautical miles east/southeast of Venice, Louisiana. The pilot was scheduled to drop off the passenger at VK956 and then perform three additional flights.
Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) track data indicated that after takeoff, the helicopter turned southwest, then made a climbing left turn to an easterly heading, reaching about 600 ft mean sea level (msl) around 1200. Around this time, another pilot heard the accident pilot report ceilings at 700 ft above ground level (agl) and visibility of 6 statute miles. The helicopter then descended to about 450 ft msl, crossing 50-ft-tall power lines, and continued eastbound while descending further. It made a gradual left turn, descending to about 200 ft, then climbed slightly to 300 ft before entering a steep descent. Data from an onboard Appareo GAU 2000 unit showed the turn tightened with roll angles reaching 40-43°, and nose-down pitch increasing to 14° in the final seconds. The maximum rate of descent was about 2,446 feet per minute approximately 4 seconds before data ended at 1202:51.
A company search and rescue pilot was notified of an overdue aircraft around 1305; the wreckage was located at about 1329. No witnesses were identified.
Personnel Information
The pilot held employment with Air Logistics (subsequently merged with Bristow US LLC) starting January 1990, serving as pilot-in-command on various helicopter models including the Bell 407. He received a Part 135 proficiency check on February 16, 2019, in a Bell 407, which was satisfactory. The pilot did not hold authorization to operate under instrument flight rules.
Aircraft Information
A company pilot conducted an operational check flight on the accident helicopter on March 9, 2019, after sunset, describing it as non-eventful with no avionics issues. A review of maintenance logs revealed no open discrepancies at the time of the accident.
Meteorological Information
The Houston Center Weather Service Unit issued center weather advisories for low instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions over the region. AIRMET Sierra warned of IFR conditions with ceilings below 1,000 ft and visibility less than 3 miles in mist/fog, expected through 2200.
At South Lafourche Leonard Miller Jr. Airport (GAO), 5 miles west of the accident site, weather at 1215 reported wind 180° at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, overcast ceiling at 800 ft agl. At 2LS, 7 miles west, conditions at departure time included wind 170° at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles or more, and broken ceiling at 700 ft agl.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was located in a brackish marsh. The fuselage was fragmented; the transmission, main rotor hub, and engine remained partially attached. Both skids separated consistent with overload. The impact attitude was left-turning and nose-low. The instrument panel was separated; the attitude indicator was disassembled and found free-moving with no anomalies. Flight control continuity was confirmed from cockpit to main and tail rotors. Hydraulic system components showed no mechanical anomalies. The main rotor could be rotated by hand with corresponding transmission rotation; chip detectors and oil filter were clear. The right navigation light bulb exhibited filament stretching. Engine compressor showed evidence of water ingestion and operation at speed; continuity was confirmed.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy determined the pilot died of multiple blunt force injuries. Toxicology testing was negative for carboxyhemoglobin and ethanol. Carvedilol and amlodipine were detected; the pilot had reported these medications to the FAA.