Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a known obstruction. Contributing to the accident was the location/placement of lightning rods in the landing zone.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he was departing the heliport at the oil rig platform and had brought the helicopter into a low hover. While in the hover, the tail rotor struck a two-foot vertical lightning rod attached to the platform edge causing damage to the tail rotor blades and horizontal stabilizer, wrinkling the tail boom, and displacing the tail rotor gear box. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to impact. The pilot stated that he had observed the lightning rod placement during previous landings on the platform as well as during the current operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA127 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 12, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Vermillion 229
- Nearest airport
- Vermilion 229 (V229)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Eurocopter AS350
- N-number
- N193EH
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.