Bell 407 accident near Mi 700, USA
On February 16, 2003, a Bell 407 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Mi 700, USA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 16, 2003
- Place
- Mi 700, USA
- Aircraft
- Bell 407 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 27.853°N, 96.695°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030221X00247
Official records · FTW03FA097
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Company Radio Log: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 16, 2003, approximately 1225 central standard time, a Bell 407 single-engine helicopter, N407HH, registered to and operated by Houston Helicopters, Inc., of Pearland, Texas, executed an emergency landing into open ocean water in the Gulf of Mexico following a loss of engine power. The pilot and his four passengers survived the initial landing, however, the pilot and one passenger later drowned after egress from the helicopter. The remaining three passengers received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight. Approximately 1210, the helicopter departed Harbor Island (TeSoro Heliport), Ingleside, Texas, for a 26.1 nautical mile flight to offshore platform, Ensco Rig 84 (Matagorda 700 block offshore), with an estimated time of arrival of 1230. According to recorded communication records provided by the operator, the pilot of N407HH had transmitted a "Mayday" call, approximately 1225, citing an engine failure, and that he was going to land the helicopter on the water. Sounds similar to an "engine-out" audio tone were heard in the background of the Mayday call. Upon reception of the Mayday call, the Coast Guard stationed at Aransas Pass, Texas, and Corpus Christi, Texas, were notified, and an immediate search and rescue was initiated by the operator, the Coast Guard, private water vessels, and other helicopter operators. Two of the surviving passengers reported that they heard a loud "bang"
Probable cause
The catastrophic failure of the engine resulting from 1st stage turbine wheel blade failure due to type 1 hot corrosion (sulfidation). Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to brief the passengers on emergency safety equipment (life raft), the pilot's failure to deploy the skid-mounted emergency float system during the autorotation, the high wind conditions, and rough sea state.
More accidents in USA
- Beech 58, Dec 8, 2017
- Cessna 421C, Jul 8, 2009
- Piper PA32 - 300, Oct 6, 2013
- Piper PA-23-250, Oct 13, 2012
- Cessna 177, Oct 29, 2009
Browse: United States · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
