Probable cause
An unsecured access door, which departed the helicopter and damaged a main rotor blade and a tail rotor blade. Contributing to the incident was the helicopter's color scheme, which made visual inspection of the door difficult.
NTSB analysis
Prior to takeoff, the helicopter's upper Environmental Control System (ECS) panel was not properly secured. The helicopter departed to an off-station platform and returned back to the home base. At an unknown time during the flight the ECS panel departed the helicopter, resulting in damage to one main rotor blade and one tail rotor blade. The helicopter's ECS and auxiliary power unit panels were both painted the same color, impeding visual inspection of the panels for proper closure.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10IA169 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 22, 2010
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Galliano, Louisiana
- Nearest airport
- Air Logistics Galliano (2LS0)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dawn
Sikorsky S-92A
- N-number
- N921AL
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Minor
- 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.