Accidents
Factual Report: Weather eyed in fatal Gulf helicopter crash
Bell 206L-4, Sabine Pass, Texas, Dec.

Bell 206L-4, Sabine Pass, Texas, Dec. 11, 2008–The Rotorcraft Leasing Company LongRanger was destroyed and the commercial pilot and four passengers were killed when it crashed into the Gulf of Mexico soon after takeoff while on its way to an offshore drilling platform. The pilot had filed a flight plan for the 20-minute Part 135 flight from Sabine Pass to the platform. Company policy required the crew to make a position report every 15 minutes during a flight, and when that time elapsed without contact, the company initiated a search operation and notified the Coast Guard. Three hours later, the wreckage of the helicopter was located two miles offshore in 13 to 15 feet of water and was recovered.