Sikorsky S 76B accident near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, December 5, 2013
On December 5, 2013 at about 2:20 pm local time, a 1986 Sikorsky S 76B (helicopter), registered N707MY, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Port Fourchon, Louisiana (Myu airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 10 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of control of the helicopter when it entered a settling with power condition during sudden gusty wind conditions on takeoff resulting in the helicopter subsequently impacting terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 5, 2013 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Port Fourchon, Louisiana · Myu · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 10 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S 76B B, built 1986 · all S 76Bs on the register
- Registration
- N707MY · no longer on the register · serial 760327
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was departing from a helipad and all cockpit instrument indications were "in green" status. Wind was very calm to none and the pilot verified it by looking at two flags on an offshore vessel. Another aircraft took off from the helipad and departed to the east. The pilot hover taxied to the west of the flight area with a right petal turn. He rechecked the instruments, which were "all normal." He added power and the flight was normal as the helicopter was climbing. The helicopter was about 40 to 50 feet over a roadway and it started to settle. He added more power and it looked as if it was going to recover. Then the helicopter started to sink again. There were occupied trailers under the helicopter and obstacles blocking a nearby field. The pilot elected to head left of course for less impact with anything on the ground or with property. The helicopter impacted terrain where it sustained substantial tailboom and fuselage damage. The pilot reported that the helicopter was within weight and balance requirements and that there were no mechanical malfunctions. Following the impact, he noticed that the previously observed flags were now showing the wind was blowing and gusting from the southwest direction.
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
- Other weather encounter during takeoff
- Settling with power/vortex ring state during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 20,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 2, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,229 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 2, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 11,700 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: P&W PT6B (turboshaft); 5,897 hours total
- Engine 2: P&W PT6B (turboshaft); 5,972 hours total
- Operator: Mayeux'S Flying Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: LS97 Port Fourchon LA
- Destination: GC18 Offshore GM
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,500 ft; scat at 300 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 pm from K9F2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 9 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on February 6, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.