ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 45212
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| Date: | Thursday 29 May 2003 |
| Time: | 04:00 |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 |
| Owner/operator: | Tarlton Helicopters, Inc. |
| Registration: | N7188K |
| MSN: | 1073 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2001 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 730 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-540-F1B5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Brazos Block 532, off Texas Coast, Gulf of Mexico -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Offshore |
| Departure airport: | William P. Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas (HOU/KHOU) |
| Mustang Island Area East Addition, Gulf of Mexico (A133) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
On May 29, 2003, approximately 04:00 CDT (Central Daylight Time), a Robinson R44 single-engine helicopter, N7188K, was destroyed when it impacted the water near Brazos Block 532, in the Gulf of Mexico. The airline transport rated pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Tarlton Helicopters, Inc., Houston, Texas. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 non-scheduled, on-demand air cargo flight. The flight departed the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), near Houston, Texas, at 03:20 CDT, and was destined for an offshore platform located at the Mustang Island Area East Addition, Block A-133, in the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the operator, the 73-year-old pilot departed HOU with a load of parts needed at an offshore platform. The pilot estimated an en-route time of 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the 70 nautical mile flight, and estimated a total fuel on board of 2 hours and 30 minutes. After the pilot was reported missing, a search was initiated.
On May 29, 2003, approximately 11:00 CDT, the body of the pilot and debris from the helicopter were located by the U.S. Coast Guard, at 28 degrees 19.15 minutes north latitude, and 95 degrees 56.2 minutes west longitude. The ocean depth in the vicinity of the debris field was estimated to average from 100 to 120 feet. According to a Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) inspector, the debris that was located included two skid float assemblies, cushions, and miscellaneous items. The helicopter was not recovered and is presumed destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: undetermined, at the aircraft was not recovered. Registration N7188K was finally cancelled by the FAA on August 27 2004 as "destroyed"
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. NTSB Accident Number: FTW03LA163 at https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief2.aspx?ev_id=20030603X00760&ntsbno=FTW03LA163&akey=1
2. FAA register: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?omni=Home-N-Number&nNumberTxt=7188K
3. https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/91658-gom-fatality.html
4. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2008-07-30/preliminary-report-robinson-r44-lost-sea
5. http://www.griffin-helicopters.co.uk/accidentdetails.aspx?accidentkey=1531
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 28-Oct-2008 00:45 | ASN archive | Added |
| 13-Jan-2012 11:19 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Location, Nature, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 01-May-2016 18:39 | Aerossurance | Updated [Time, Source, Narrative] |
| 02-Sep-2016 21:39 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Time, Operator, Location, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:24 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 08-Dec-2017 18:45 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 17-Oct-2018 22:26 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Time, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 17-Oct-2018 22:27 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 17-Oct-2018 22:28 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Source] |
| 17-Oct-2018 22:29 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Source] |
| 17-Oct-2018 22:30 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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