Bell 407 accident near Galliano, LA
On March 10, 2019, a Bell 407 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Galliano, LA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 10, 2019
- Place
- Galliano, LA
- Aircraft
- Bell 407 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 29.423°N, 90.178°W
- NTSB ID
- 20190310X35358
Official records · CEN19FA095
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn March 10, 2019, about 1203 central daylight time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N577AL, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Galliano, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger received fatal injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 135 on-demand passenger flight. The flight originated from Bristow US LLC Heliport (2LS0), Galliano, Louisiana, about 1155, and was destined for an offshore platform in Viosca Knoll (VK956), Gulf of Mexico, about 69 nautical miles east/southeast of Venice, Louisiana. The pilot was scheduled to drop off the passenger at VK956 and then perform three additional flights. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) track data showed that the helicopter departed toward the southwest, then made a climbing left turn to an easterly heading and continued to climb for several miles, reaching a height of about 600 ft mean sea level about 1200. Around this time, the pilot of another helicopter heard the accident pilot issue a pilot report stating that ceilings were at 700 ft above ground level and visibility was 6 statute miles. The helicopter then began descending to an altitude of about 450 ft msl about 1201, crossing 50-ft-tall power lines oriented north-south. The helicopter continued eastbound while descending to about 300 ft and beginning a gradual left turn. The helicopter continued to descend to about 200 ft and turned through north along the east edge of a body of water about 1202:45. It made a slight climb to about 300 ft, and then went into a steep descent to the end of the
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control during cruise flight as a result of spatial disorientation while operating the helicopter in close proximity to terrain in marginal meteorological conditions.
More accidents in LA
- Sikorsky S-76C, Jan 4, 2009
- Cessna 411A, May 8, 1986
- Piper PA 31T, Dec 28, 2019
- Beech E90, Jun 24, 2005
- Bell 206L-3, May 10, 1994
Browse: Louisiana · 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.
