Rumour has it the aircraft in question had gyro squawks left uncleared.....if so...combined with poor weather....could be a very bad combination. Watch for an exodus of pilots if that story is true....or a very nasty lawsuit. Unfortunately, that seems to be the court of last resort in the GOM.
Gomex has told me on several occasions that helicopters kill more people than any other cause in the GOM oil patch. Wonder why the industry accepts that claim to fame? Some of the pilot groups there are working to improve ATC/Radar/Weather Reporting/Communications and in fact seem to encounter resistance from many pilots flying there. Many seem to be concerned up and until it is time to leave the crew room and either go flying or go on time off.
