Eurocopter France AS355 F1 accident near Savannah, GA
On March 9, 2002, an Eurocopter France AS355 F1 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Savannah, GA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 9, 2002
- Place
- Savannah, GA
- Aircraft
- Eurocopter France AS355 F1 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 32.061°N, 81.107°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020314X00344
Official records · ATL02FA062
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 8, 2002, at 2000 eastern standard time, a Eurocopter A355F1, N355D, registered to and operated by SK Logistics, Inc., ditched 35 miles off the coast of Georgia in the Atlantic Ocean while maneuvering for an approach to an offshore platform. The chartered flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR 135 with a defense visual flight rules flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries, and subsequently died of drowning. The flight originated from Savannah, Georgia, at 1759. At 1458, the pilot left the offshore platform R5 to refuel in Savannah. The pilot took on 96 gallons of fuel; he then departed at 1534 back to the R5 platform. At 1553, the pilot landed on the R5 platform. At 1558, the pilot departed the R5 platform enroute to M1, R2 and M2 platform then back to Savannah at 1648. At 1712, he landed in Savannah took on 90 gallons of fuel and picked up passengers . At 1759, the pilot headed back to the M2 platform with his passengers. At this time the pilot made stops at R2 and R5. At 1953, the pilot departed the R5 platform to head back to the R2 platform with one passenger. While approaching the R2 platform the helicopter ditched into the Atlantic Ocean in approximately 87 feet of water. The witness stated the pilot was enroute from the R5 to the R2 platform. The pilot radioed that he was approaching the R2 platform. According to the witness, this procedure was normal for the pilot when he was approxima
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to follow operating procedures and, experienced spatial disorientation while attempting a night landing to an offshore platform. A factor was a dark night.
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Browse: Georgia
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
