Bell 407 accident near Gulf of Mexico, GM
On December 7, 2019, a Bell 407 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Gulf of Mexico, GM. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 7, 2019
- Place
- Gulf of Mexico, GM
- Aircraft
- Bell 407 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 28.927°N, 89.672°W
- NTSB ID
- 20191209X55719
Official records · CEN20FA035
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn December 7, 2019, at 0918 central standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N79LP, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in the Gulf of Mexico, about 25 nautical miles southeast of Grand Isle, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 business flight. In a statement provided by the operator, the helicopter had departed oil platform SP77A about 0834 and was en route to platform WD73, located about 17 nautical miles northwest. The pilot was to conduct pollution control inspections while en route to the destination platform. At 0853, the pilot landed at platform WD109 for additional fuel, but discovered that the fuel nozzle was broken and was unable to refuel. At 0910, the helicopter departed platform WD109 with 1 hour and 20 minutes of fuel reported, 2 persons onboard, and estimated time en route of 20 minutes. The operator tracked the helicopter via Sky Connect Tracker Systems. Recorded ADS-B data revealed that the helicopter’s flight track began at 0912:50 about 1.5 miles west-northwest of platform WD109 at 700 ft mean sea level (msl) and 115 knots groundspeed. The helicopter continued northwest for about 10.5 miles and gradually descended to 375 ft msl. At 0918:10, the helicopter’s heading was 292° at a groundspeed of 114 knots and altitude of 375 ft msl. The final recorded point, at 0918:18, showed that the helicopter made a left course deviation to 270°, descended to 150 ft msl, and slowed to 72 knots. Figure 1 shows the platforms, recorded ADS-B flig
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the engine’s Nos. 3 and 4 bearings and the power turbine pinion gear, and subsequent loss of main rotor rpm, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with the water.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
