Sikorsky S-76 accident near Eugene Island, June 28, 1985
On June 28, 1985 at about 6:10 pm local time, a Sikorsky S-76 (helicopter), registered N5404Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Eugene Island. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 1985 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Eugene Island
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S-76 · all S-76s on the register
- Registration
- N5404Y · no longer on the register · serial 760146
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT HAD LANDED ON THE OFFSHORE HELIPORT IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. THE S76 HELICOPTER ROLLED BACKWARD ON THE PLATFORM WITH THE HELICOPTER TILTING TO ITS RIGHT. THE COPLT EXITED THE ACFT AND FOUND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WHEEL OFF THE PLATFORM AND INTO THE DECK SAFETY NET. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LIFT UP OFF THE PLATFORM BUT THE ACFT WENT OFF THE PLATFORM AND FELL INVERTED IN THE WATER ABOUT 100 FEET BELOW. THE COPLT HAD EXITED THE ACFT (PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT) AFTER INITIAL TOUCHDOWN. THE HELICOPTER WAS INTENTIONALLY LANDED ON THE FAR RIGHT (EAST) SIDE OF THE PLATFORM BECAUSE OF A BELL 206 WHICH WAS PARKED ON THE LEFT (WEST) SIDE OF THE PLATFORM.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,124 hours in all; 587 in this make and model; 73 in the last 90 days; 5,329 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,469 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 23, 1985; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 10,000 lb
- Seats: 14
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Allison 250-C305 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Morgan City LA
- Destination: Eugene Is. Blk GM
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds; scat
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:45 pm from LFT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.