Sikorsky S-76C++ accident near Gulf Of Mexico, GM, December 24, 2009
On December 24, 2009 at about 6:31 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-76C++ (helicopter), registered N798P, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Gulf Of Mexico, GM. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to fully land the helicopter prior to entering a turn in strong, crosswind conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 24, 2009 · about 6:31 pm local time
- Place
- Gulf Of Mexico, GM · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-76C++ · all S-76C++s on the register
- Registration
- N798P · registry record · serial 760685
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot made an approach to the off-shore platform landing pad directly into a 30-knot headwind. Upon landing, the tail rotor was blocking the emergency exit, so the pilot maneuvered the wheeled helicopter approximately 70 degrees to the right while the copilot made sure the tail rotor was clear of the exit. As the pilot was completing the turn, the helicopter began to roll rapidly to the right and onto its right side. The main rotor blades made contact with the platform and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Data downloaded from the flight data recorder and enhanced ground proximity warning system revealed the pilot did not fully land the helicopter prior to the ground taxi and still had a high power setting, a high nose attitude, and the collective was not in the full down position as it was being repositioned. As a result, the helicopter entered a dynamic rollover.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Dynamic rollover during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,459 hours in all; 2,826 in this make and model; 107 in the last 90 days; 36 in the last 30 days; 9,821 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 18,103 hours in all; 332 in this make and model; 106 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 15,289 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,257 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, December 23, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 11,700 lb
- Seats: 14
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Turbomeca Arriel S&S (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Turbomecca Arriel S&S (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Petroleum Helicopters International, Inc
The flight
- Departed from: Boothville LA at 5:33 pm
- Destination: Gulf Of Mexico
- Flight plan: not recorded
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,900 ft; scat at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from KRAM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.