A Bristow Group Bell 407 crashed into the coastal Gulf of Mexico waters at approximately noon yesterday near Galliano, Louisiana. Bristow said the helicopter, which was manufactured in 1998 and registered as N577AL, was carrying one crewmember and one passenger. As of this morning, one body had been recovered and one person remained missing. Neither has been identified.
The helicopter was operating between Galliano and Venice, Louisiana. The area along the route is difficult to access via land. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff responded to the scene at approximately 1:42 p.m. yesterday.
Bristow CEO Don Miller said, “Our highest priority is assisting those involved and affected by the accident.” The company declined to release additional details. As of last year, Bristow operated 24 Bell 407s, owning 22 and leasing two.