NTSB Identification: DFW05IA119
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Incident occurred Friday, May 13, 2005 in S.Timbalier 265, GM
Aircraft: Eurocopter France EC120B, registration: N588SC
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On May 13, 2005, about 1425 central daylight time, a Eurocopter France EC120B single-engine turbine powered helicopter, N588SC, registered to CFS Air LLC., of Danbury Connecticut, and operated by ERA Helicopters LLC., of Saint Charles, Louisiana, remained undamaged during a forced autorotation landing into open ocean water near offshore platform South Timbelier ST 265, located in the Gulf of Mexico. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. The flight originated from ST 265 and was destined for Port Fourchon (9LA) near Fourchon, Louisiana.
According to the pilot, while approximately 14 miles south of Port Fourchon and while 500 feet above the water, he observed the engine low oil pressure light illuminate and shortly thereafter the engine lost power. The pilot elected to turn into the wind, inflate the floats, and perform an autorotation to the water. After a successful autorotation the pilot and passenger disembarked the helicopter without injury and were rescued. At the time of the incident the pilot reported the fuel gauges indicated approximately 24 gallons of fuel.
The pilot further reported that the helicopter remained upright until the recovery at which time the helicopter rolled inverted, but remained afloat.
The helicopter was recovered, and on May 16, 2005 was examined by investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), American Eurocopter, and Turbomeca USA. The engine was removed and transported to Turbomeca USA for further examination.