Preliminary Report: S92 Sheds Panel in Flight

Sikorsky S-92A, Galliano, La., March 22, 2010–While operating in wind gusts of up to 21 knots, the helicopter was damaged when an environmental control system panel detached from the fuselage and hit the main and tail rotors. The S-92, owned and operated by Bristow, was operating under Part 135 on a company VFR flight plan for a round trip from the Air Logistics Galliano Heliport to an offshore platform, when according to the pilot it entered moderate turbulence. No unusual characteristics or noises were noted during the flight, and the damage was discovered during a postflight inspection. The two pilots and 12 passengers were uninjured.