Pilot Debrief

SIKORSKY S-76C++ near Gulf of Mexico, GM — 2009-12-24

Final reportCEN10FA079
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Date
2009-12-24
Location
Gulf of Mexico, GM, USA
Aircraft
SIKORSKY S-76C++
Registration
N798P
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to fully land the helicopter prior to entering a turn in strong, crosswind conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

NTSB narrative

The pilot made an approach to the off-shore platform landing pad directly into a 30-knot headwind. Upon landing, the tail rotor was blocking the emergency exit, so the pilot maneuvered the wheeled helicopter approximately 70 degrees to the right while the copilot made sure the tail rotor was clear of the exit. As the pilot was completing the turn, the helicopter began to roll rapidly to the right and onto its right side. The main rotor blades made contact with the platform and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Data downloaded from the flight data recorder and enhanced ground proximity warning system revealed the pilot did not fully land the helicopter prior to the ground taxi and still had a high power setting, a high nose attitude, and the collective was not in the full down position as it was being repositioned. As a result, the helicopter entered a dynamic rollover.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Properly assess wind conditions before ground taxiing to avoid dynamic rollover.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • CVR
  • FDR / data
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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