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Louisiana Helicopter Crash - Legal Help Nationwide
January 6, 2009
Louisiana Helicopter Crash - Legal Help Nationwide
Louisiana Helicopter Crash
PHI, Inc. the owner of the Sikorsky S76 medium transport helicopter that crashed in Louisiana on Sunday announced the names of the men killed.
- Allen Boudreaux Ama, LA Dynamic
- Andrew Moricio Morgan City, LA Dynamic
- Ezequiel Cantu Morgan City, LA Dynamic
- Randy Tarpley Jonesville, LA Dynamic
- Charles W. Nelson Pensacola, FL MMR
- Jorey A. Rivero Bridge City, LA MMR
- Thomas E. Ballenger Eufaula, AL PHI Pilot-in-Command
- Vyarl W. Martin Hurst, TX PHI Second-in Command
The only surviving passenger from this Louisiana PHI helicopter crash is Steven Yeltin of Floresville, TX, who works for Dynamic. Yeltin is listed in critical condition at a Houma, Louisiana hospital. These names had been withheld until next of kin were notified as indicated in the previous article concerning this PHI helicopter crash
This is the second tragic accident for PHI within the past year. It comes on the heels of another deadly crash involving a Rotorcraft helicopter headed to an oil platform last month. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) crash investigators have started investigating the crash site, taking statements and begin debris inspection and collection.
PHI is a primary provider of helicopter services to oil and gas platforms that dot the coast of Louisiana. In June, a PHI Air Medical helicopter crashed in East Texas, killing four. The medivac helicopter crash in the Sam Houston National Forest killed the pilot, paramedic, nurse and a patient who was being transported from Huntsville to Houston. That crew agreed to transport the patient after another helicopter company abandoned the mission saying that cloud cover was too low, making visibility poor in the early-morning darkness.
Talk to a Helicopter Crash Lawyer
If you have lost a loved one in this tragic PHI Helicopter Crash in Louisiana, then call us and speak to an attorney that understands helicopter crashes involving PHI and is very familar with PHI, Inc and other crashes, especially the 2008 crash in East Texas as the Willis Law Firm is representing one of the family of one of the passengers. Often we can fly and visit with you in person within 24 hours to meet you and explain the NTSB crash investigation process and the estimated timeline of events surrounding crash investigations and the legal process and help you and your family in filing the necessary paperwork that is necessary in sudden accidents and wrongful deaths.
Let us know if we can help.
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August 31, 2008
NTSB Report Bell 206L Helicopter Crash in Indiana
NTSB Report # CHI08FA269
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, August 31, 2008 in Greensburg, IN
Aircraft: Bell 206L-1, registration: N37AE
Injuries: 3 Fatal.
On August 31, 2008, about 1320 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N37AE, operated by Air Evac EMS Inc., was destroyed during an in-flight collision with terrain and post impact fire near Greensburg, Indiana. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, flight nurse, and paramedic, sustained fatal injuries. The accident flight departed at 1215 from Burney, Indiana, with the intention of returning to the aircraft’s base located in Rushville, Indiana.
The crew had attended a local fund raising event for the Burney fire station in a community support role. No patient transport activity was associated with the flight to the fire station, or with the accident flight.
Witnesses reported that the helicopter appeared to depart the fire station without difficulty. One witness recalled seeing the helicopter clear a set of high-tension power lines east of the departure point. Witnesses stated that they subsequently saw components separate from the aircraft in-flight before impact.
The initial on-scene investigation revealed the helicopter came to rest about 1.2 miles northeast of the departure point. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, tail boom, and landing skids. The fuselage was consumed by a post impact fire. The tail boom and landing skids separated from the fuselage. The tail boom was located about 10 feet south of the fuselage, and the skids were located about 10 feet southwest of the fuselage. The rotor blade/hub assembly separated at the rotor mast and came to rest approximately 200 yards west-southwest of the fuselage. The main rotor blades remained attached to the hub. One blade remained intact. The other blade was fractured into three sections, with the inboard blade remaining attached to the hub. The two separated blade sections were recovered at the accident site.
High-tension power lines running generally north-south were located between the departure point and the accident site. Visual examination of the power lines and supporting towers, both from the ground and from the air, did not reveal any damage attributable to the helicopter. In addition, a lone tree located west of the accident site showed no evidence of being struck by the helicopter. NOTE: 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.
May 12, 2008
NTSB Report Eurocopter Crash in LaCrosse, WI
NTSB Identification: CHI08FA128
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, May 10, 2008 in La Crosse, WI
Aircraft: Eurocopter Deutschland EC 135 T2+, registration: N135UW
Injuries: 3 Fatal.On May 10, 2008, about 2245 central daylight time, a Eurocopter Deutschland EC135 T2+ air medical configured helicopter, N135UW, operated by Air Methods Corporation, was destroyed during an in-flight collision with trees and terrain near La Crosse, Wisconsin. The flight was conducted in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 without a flight plan. The helicopter’s position was being monitored according to the operator’s flight following procedures. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, physician and flight nurse sustained fatal injuries. The flight departed La Crosse Airport (LSE), La Crosse, Wisconsin, at 2234. The intended destination was the University of Wisconsin Hospital Heliport (WS27) in Madison, Wisconsin.
The helicopter was equipped with global positioning system (GPS) tracking equipment that provided departure, arrival and en route position information to the operator’s Operations Control Center. Flight progress was automatically updated every three minutes. According the GPS flight-following data, the flight initially departed WS27 about 2038 en route to Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The flight arrived at Prairie du Chien about 2113 and picked up a patient. The flight subsequently departed about 2131 and proceeded to Gunderson-Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, arriving about 2154. After dropping off the patient, the crew departed about 2209 and repositioned the helicopter to LSE for refueling. The flight departed LSE, elevation 654 feet, at 2234 with the intention of returning to WS27. No further position updates were received from the accident helicopter.
Local authorities received a 911 call from a resident stating that they thought they had heard an aircraft crash. At 2304, the helicopter operator notified local authorities that the aircraft was missing. A search subsequently located the helicopter wreckage about 0900 the next morning.
The accident site was located on a wooded hillside in a sparsely populated area approximately 4 1/2 miles southeast of LSE. Tree strikes and main rotor blade fragments were observed at the top of the ridgeline. The elevation of the ridge was approximately 1,160 feet at that location. The main wreckage came to rest on the east side of the ridgeline, on the descending hillside opposite the departure airport. It was about 600 feet from the initial tree strikes at the top of the ridgeline, at an elevation of approximately 930 feet.
An employee of the fixed base operator at LSE, who fueled the helicopter, reported moderate rain and fair visibility at the time. He stated the helicopter lifted off and proceeded east-southeast.
At 2253, weather conditions at LSE were recorded as: Calm winds, visibility 8 miles in light rain, few clouds at 1,400 feet above ground level (agl), and overcast clouds at 5,000 feet agl. Fire department personnel reported fog and mist along the ridgeline at the time of the search and rescue operations. NOTE: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.
April 27, 2008
NTSB Report Bell 206B Helicopter Crash in California
NTSB Report: SEA08CA124.
Bell 206B Helicoter Crash in California14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 27, 2008 in Murietta, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/30/2008
Aircraft: Bell 206B, registration: N526DL
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The commercial pilot was receiving instruction and reported that during the seventh practice full touchdown autorotation, the helicopter touched down on the aft part of the landing skids and started to rock forward. He stated he applied aft cyclic to prevent the helicopter from rolling forward, and one of the main rotor blades subsequently struck the tail boom. The flight instructor said that he was unable to react in time to level the helicopter prior to touchdown. Examination of the helicopter revealed structural damage to the tail boom and tail rotor drive shaft. No mechanical anomalies were reported with the flight control system. The pilot stated in the “How could this accident have been prevented?” section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form, “proper execution of a full down autorotation by fully leveling the aircraft before touchdown.”
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action. A contributing factor to the accident was the dual student’s improper flare.
NTSB Report Bell 206B Helicopter Crash in California
NTSB Report # SEA08CA124.Bell 206B Helicopter Crash in California
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 27, 2008 in Murietta, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 6/30/2008
Aircraft: Bell 206B, registration: N526DL
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
The commercial pilot was receiving instruction and reported that during the seventh practice full touchdown autorotation, the helicopter touched down on the aft part of the landing skids and started to rock forward. He stated he applied aft cyclic to prevent the helicopter from rolling forward, and one of the main rotor blades subsequently struck the tail boom. The flight instructor said that he was unable to react in time to level the helicopter prior to touchdown. Examination of the helicopter revealed structural damage to the tail boom and tail rotor drive shaft. No mechanical anomalies were reported with the flight control system. The pilot stated in the “How could this accident have been prevented?” section of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form, “proper execution of a full down autorotation by fully leveling the aircraft before touchdown.”
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action. A contributing factor to the accident was the dual student’s improper flare.
April 23, 2008
NTSB Report - Hughes 269 Crash Killeen, Texas
NTSB Report # DFW08CA114.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, April 23, 2008 in Killeen, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 5/28/2008
Aircraft: Hughes 269A, registration: N9064N
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
While practicing an autorotation maneuver, the pilot rolled the throttle back on and began a power recovery before reducing the throttle to continue the autorotation. The helicopter’s airspeed decreased to approximately 40 knots at 300 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot attempted to go-around but was unable to increase the rotor RPM (rotations per minute.) The helicopter continued to sink as the flight instructor attempted to increase power and reduce the sink rate. The flight instructor lowered the helicopter’s nose in an attempt to increase airspeed. At 50 feet AGL the pilot reported that a gust of wind decreased the helicopter’s airspeed further resulting in an increased sink rate. The flight instructor flared the helicopter as it approached the ground. The helicopter contacted the ground and rolled coming to rest on its side.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: The pilot’s failure to maintain main rotor RPM and a safe rate of descent during the autorotation. A contributing factor was the gusty winds.
April 15, 2008
Eurocopter AS350 B2 Crash in Chickaloon, Arkansas
NTSB Report: ANC08FA053 Eurocopter Crash
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Tuesday, April 15, 2008 in Chickaloon, AK
Aircraft: Eurocopter France AS350B2, registration: N213EH
Injuries: 4 Fatal, 1 Serious.
On April 15, 2008, about 0930 Alaska daylight time, a Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopter, N213EH, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with terrain, about 34 miles east of Chickaloon, Alaska. The helicopter was being operated by ERA Helicopters LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot and three passengers received fatal injuries, and one passenger received serious injuries. A mixture of visual and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the accident. The helicopter departed Anchorage about 0805, and company flight following procedures were in effect.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on April 17, a communications technician who got off the helicopter before the accident, said he was dropped off at a remote communications site about 0900, and that the helicopter went to another site with other technicians aboard. He said the helicopter was to return in about four hours. When it did not, he said he contacted his shop.
Following a series of events, a search for the helicopter was initiated. The helicopter’s wreckage was located by searchers on steep, snow-covered terrain, about one mile from the second communication site. NOTE: 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.
March 31, 2008
NTSB Report Robinson R22 Helicopter Crash Texas
NTSB Report # DFW08CA064.
Houston Texas Helicopter Crash
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, February 08, 2008 in Houston, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/31/2008
Aircraft: Robinson R22 Beta, registration: N2364B
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.The certified flight instructor and the student pilot flew to a practice area to work on hovering techniques. Before the flight instructor turned over the controls to the student, he discussed with the student how to make a positive transfer of the controls and also the importance of not having a tight grip on the controls. The student took control of the helicopter and practiced hovering for approximately 10 minutes, when the flight instructor felt the helicopter begin to settle. Before the flight instructor could react, the student pilot “quickly” pulled the collective full up, which overrode the throttle and the main rotor began to lose rpm. The instructor immediately made an attempt to lower the collective and increase engine rpm, but the left skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over on to its left side. The helicopter sustained damage to the main rotor blades and the firewall.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The student pilot’s improper use of the collective and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
March 21, 2008
NTSB Report Hughes 269 Helicopter Crash in Ohio
NTSB Identification: CHI08CA097.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 21, 2008 in Franklin Furnac, OH
Probable Cause Approval Date: 4/30/2008
Aircraft: Hughes 269A, registration: N9333V
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.The helicopter sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The helicopter was recently purchased by the left seat pilot, who did not hold a rotorcraft rating, and was being piloted by the right sear pilot at the time of the accident. The right seat pilot stated that he performed an autorotation on a hilltop, which was “sparsely populated” by 7-1/2 to 8 foot high trees. He also stated that the hilltop was the only available landing area, which was surrounded by “hostile” terrain. During the forced landing, the tail boom sustained damage on impact with trees. Examination of the helicopter revealed no usable fuel aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The fuel exhaustion during cruise flight and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot-in-command. A contributing factor was the trees.
January 12, 2008
NTSB Report Bell 206B2 Helicopter Crash
NTSB Report # SEA08CA059.
Bell 206B2 Collision 14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, January 12, 2008 in La Verna, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/28/2008
Aircraft: Bell 206 B2, registration: N49588
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.The pilot reported that the helicopter was in a three-foot hover, moving forward, when control was lost and the helicopter collided with terrain. The pilot reported the left cyclic control was removed prior to the flight; however, the protective cover was not installed. He stated that during the accident flight, test equipment (used for track and balance) “became entangled” at the left cyclic attach point and prevented full cyclic control.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s improper preflight planning which resulted in a jammed cyclic control while maneuvering.
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