Sikorsky S76 accident near New Iberia, Louisiana, February 18, 2018
On February 18, 2018 at about 3:15 pm local time, a 2002 Sikorsky S76 (helicopter), registered N860AL, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (into takeoff position) near New Iberia, Louisiana (Acadiana Rgnl airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The helicopter’s striking of a pothole while taxiing, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 18, 2018 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- New Iberia, Louisiana · Acadiana Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky S76 C, built 2002 · all S76s on the register
- Registration
- N860AL · registry record · serial 760527
- 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, while the copilot was taxiing the wheel-equipped helicopter to the runway for departure, he saw a "bump" on the concrete. The copilot reported that he attempted to stop before the "bump," which turned out to be a pothole, but the helicopter struck the pothole with the right main landing gear, which collapsed. The pilot and the copilot both reported that the taxi speed was less than 5 knots. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the internal fuselage structure. The Director of Operations reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Landing gear collapse during taxi (into takeoff position) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › (general) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,674 hours in all; 3,866 in this make and model; 68 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 6,895 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 23, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,277 hours in all; 209 in this make and model; 103 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days; 6,284 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 27, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,866 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, February 4, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 11,700 lb
- Seats: 14
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Safran Arriel 2S1 (turboshaft); 7,879 hours total
- Engine 2: Safran Arriel 2S1 (turboshaft); 10,490 hours total
- Operator: Bristow US LLC
The flight
- Departed from: ARA New Iberia LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 300 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 3:27 pm from KARA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 18, 2018. 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 Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Co-pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Photos | PDF, 2 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.