There was an emergency landing of an offshore helicopter in Houma, Louisiana on September 24, 2022. According to reports, an Augusta Westland 139 helicopter returning from a location in the Gulf of Mexico made an emergency landing at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport. According to the FAA, the helicopter’s cockpit filled with smoke and it suffered a partial loss of engine control. After the hard-landing, the helicopter ran off the runway. There were six people on board at the time. Multiple people were taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
An emergency landing in a helicopter carries significant risks due to the aircraft’s reliance on rotor control, altitude limitations, and terrain conditions. Unlike fixed-wing planes, helicopters do not glide for long distances, meaning pilots must quickly identify a suitable landing area, often in difficult or hazardous environments such as water, forests, or urban areas. Factors like mechanical failure, severe weather, or fuel depletion can lead to a forced landing, and if executed improperly, the helicopter may experience a hard impact, rollover, or post-crash fire. Uneven terrain or obstacles can make a safe landing nearly impossible, increasing the risk of injuries or fatalities. Even when pilots manage to land without a direct crash, passengers may suffer spinal injuries, fractures, or head trauma due to the force of impact.
There have been a number of recent helicopter crashes across the country. A Robinson R22 crashed near Mesa, Arizona on September 26, 2022. A Bell 407 helicopter crashed in Mount Baldy, California on September 4, 2022. An AutoGyro Calidus gyrocopter crashed in La Verne, California on September 3, 2022. A Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter crashed in Marion County, Tennessee on August 23, 2022.
Spagnoletti Law Firm has attorneys licensed in Texas, Florida, and New York. We have handled numerous cases involving the failure of necessary equipment on a plane or helicopter in both federal and state court across the country. Our attorneys have extensive experience in plane and helicopter crash litigation and the skills needed to aggressively represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or been seriously injured in a plane or helicopter crash. The experienced helicopter crash attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of a helicopter accident. Please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 to learn more about your legal rights.