SECOND UPDATE ON NTSB INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH OF A PHI SIKORSKY HELICOPTER NEAR MORGAN CITY, LOUISIANA

[NTSB Press Releases <NTSBPressReleases@xxxxxxxx>]

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                       NTSB ADVISORY
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

February 23, 2009

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SECOND UPDATE ON NTSB INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH OF A
PHI SIKORSKY HELICOPTER NEAR MORGAN CITY, LOUISIANA

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In its continuing investigation of the January 4, 2009, 
fatal accident involving a Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter, 
operated by PHI, Inc., that crashed in a marsh near Morgan 
City, Louisiana (NTSB Accident Number CEN09MA117), the 
National Transportation Safety Board is releasing the 
following factual information:

During the first of two detailed examinations of the 
wreckage layout last month in Lafayette, Louisiana, a bird 
specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
examined the helicopter for evidence of a bird strike.  A 
visual examination did not detect any such evidence, but a 
swab was taken from the pilot-side windscreen.  The sample 
was sent to the Smithsonian Institution Feather 
Identification Lab for identification.  Results from DNA 
testing on that sample showed that microscopic remains of a 
hawk variety were present.  The swab was taken from an area 
of the windscreen that exhibited concentric ring fractures. 
 Similar concentric rings were visible in the gel coat of 
the fuselage area just above the windscreen.

A second detailed examination of the wreckage layout was 
conducted this past week in Lafayette, with additional NTSB 
and USDA specialists.  Additional swabs for bird remains 
were taken from the fuselage; empennage; various inlets, 
including the engines; and from the rotor hub and main rotor 
blades. Additionally, examination revealed the presence of 
small parts of feathers under a right side windscreen seal 
and in the folds of the right side engine inlet filter.  

Portions of the windscreen and composite center post are 
continuing to be examined in the NTSB laboratory in 
Washington, DC for further structural analysis and a review 
of material specificity.

The original production laminated glass windscreens from the 
accident helicopter had been removed and replaced by PHI 
about two years prior to the accident as part of their 
normal procedures with the S-76 fleet in order to prepare 
for operational mission status.  This helicopter's  
windscreens were replaced a second time due to cracking 
approximately one year prior to the accident.  PHI replaces 
all of the windscreens in their S-76 fleet with a lighter 
weight, cast acrylic windscreen that was approved by the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) via a Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) upon delivery.  

The ongoing investigation will involve further analysis of 
the information from the cockpit voice and flight data 
recorders, detailed examination and analysis of the damage 
to the cast acrylic and composite center post, investigation 
into the windscreen STC issuance and specifications, 
research into the potential scenarios that could cause the 
loss of engine torque and electrical anomalies noted on the 
flight recorders, and the flight crew's response to the 
event.

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NTSB Media Contact:	Ted Lopatkiewicz
			(202) 314-6100
			lopatt@xxxxxxxx





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