NTSB Looks at Weather, Crew Coordination in PHI S-76 Crash

Weather and crew coordination are likely focus areas for U.S. National Transportation Safety Board investigators looking into the Oct. 22 Gulf of Mexico crash that destroyed a Sikorsky S-76A++ operated by PHI. The airline transport-rated pilot was uninjured; the commercial-rated first officer sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Part 91 flight from PHI's base in Amelia, La. to the offshore platform Eugene Island Block 259. After takeoff at 0658 local time, the crew was told the rig had moderate rain, poor visibility and a low ceiling. The pilot responded that he expected the rain to move through the rig’s area prior to their arrival. At 2 nm from the rig, the crew told investigators, they could not see the platform, so the pilot turned west to circle the rain and called for the pre-landing check. He called for floats to be armed and windshield wipers to be turned on. As the pilot turned final, he said, he saw the platform but no horizon. He noticed the floats were not armed and moderate rain obscured the windshield. The first officer appeared to be fumbling with the switches; the pilot looked down to see what was happening. The aircraft then struck the water. More