Offshore helo crashes in swamp

Sikorsky S-76C++, Morgan City, La., Jan. 4, 2009–A Petroleum Helicopters S-76, en route to a Shell Oil offshore oil platform, crashed into a swamp just north of the Gulf of Mexico coastline. The helicopter had taken off in VFR conditions seven minutes before the crash from Amelie, La., and there were no reports of problems from the crew. Eight of the nine people aboard were killed and one is in critical condition as we go to press. The S-76 was equipped with a CVR and an FDR; both have been sent to the NTSB lab in Washington, D.C.