On October 8, 2013, about 0730 central daylight time, a Bell 206L-3, N54LP, owned and operated by Panther Helicopter, Incorporated, descended into the Gulf of Mexico impacting into the water immediately after taking off from an oil drilling platform. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Two passengers on board were seriously injured and a third passenger was uninjured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The business flight was being conducted on an instrument flight rules flight plan under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter was en route to Belle Chasse, Louisiana.
A representative for the company said that the pilot had departed Belle Chasse Heliport (06LA) to conduct a routine crew change at platform Main Pass 107. The pilot filed a flight plan and the helicopter took off from the platform for the flight back to 06LA. All of a sudden it was observed by platform personnel descending to the water. The floats deployed, the helicopter impacted on the surface, and then it rolled over on its side.
At 0655, weather conditions at nearby New Orleans Naval Air Station, Louisiana, approximately 0.5 miles southwest of 06LA, were calm winds, visibility 10 statute miles with shallow fog, few clouds at 5,000 feet, temperature 57 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point, 60 degrees F, and altimeter 30.06 inches of Mercury.
CEN14LA004