Sikorsky S-76A++ accident near Eugene Isl 259, October 22, 2006
On October 22, 2006 at about 12:30 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-76A++ (helicopter), registered N22342, was destroyed in an accident near Eugene Isl 259 (Offshore Platform airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight crew's failure to maintain clearance with the water and their diverted attention to secondary tasks while preparing to land. Contributing factor were the low ceilings and the heavy rains restricting their visibility.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 22, 2006 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Eugene Isl 259 · Offshore Platform · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-76A++ · all S-76A++s on the register
- Registration
- N22342 · no longer on the register · serial 760096
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two crewmembers (pilot and copilot) of the twin-engine helicopter were scheduled to fly to an offshore oil platform located about 60 miles from their shore base. The helicopter was inadvertently flown into the water while the attention of both crewmembers was diverted to arming the emergency float system and activating the windshield wipers. The flight crew had made two unsuccessful attempts to pick up a passenger on the previous day, and had been unable to reach the platform due to inclement weather in the area. Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) prevailed as the crew attempted to locate and land on the platform. The copilot, who reported having accumulated a total of 10 hours in the same make and model, reported that while performing the pre-landing checklist, the helicopter impacted the water in a near-level attitude. The 16,848-hours helicopter pilot and the 1,371-hours copilot were able to egress from the helicopter and were able to swim for 2.5 hours to an abandoned platform, from which they were rescued by helicopter. The emergency float equipped helicopter rolled over and sank. The helicopter was located and recovered a few days after the mishap. The flight crew reported that there were no maintenance problems or malfunctions with the helicopter prior to their inadvertent impact with the water.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 16,848 hours in all; 3,442 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 10,281 as pilot in command; 24 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,371 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 81 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 1,072 as pilot in command; 461 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 19,725 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme
- Maximum gross weight: 10,800 lb
- Seats: 14
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Turbomeca Arriel 1S1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Turbomeca Arriel 1S1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MCY Amelia LA at 11:58 am
- Destination: Eugene Is. 259 GM
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 500 ft; scat
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 11:31 am from K7R3
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 |
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.