Ya'll may think I'm lying, but that is my loop bird. Just so happens I am on my days off. You can ask Cabwiz. I was on the phone with my wife while we met in the parking lot. The pilot, which is one of the best that I have ever flown with sustained some bumps and bruises. The operator on board, which happens to be a former full time guide on Big Lake sustained a fractured L2 and L3 vertebrae. Said he will be out for about 4 months, but considereing the circumstances, I'm sure he'll never be back. The preliminary investigation of the aircraft found that one of the fitting for the fuel lines came loose. The operator, which I have woked with many times, said that as they took off and gaining altitude that they heard a pop and then the engine quit. As soon as the engine quit, the helicopter took an immediate nose dive. The operator on board says he gives the pilot all the credit in the world to for saving both of their lives. He corrected that nose dive just in time and they hit the water in a semi landing position. The passenger side chin bubble shattered and the helicopter started taking on water immediately, that's how the operator got out. He managed to inflate his vest and he heard the pilot screaming. The pilot was covered in jet fuel. The pilot managed to pop the floats after the helicopter rolled upside down. I agree, RLC does not have the best of track records. My company president is pissed right now. If ya'll remember, last year right before Christmas, I lost a very dear friend right off of Sabine Pass. That crash happened right after Island Operating switched to RLC after Air Logisitcs sold most of their helicopters. I go offshore tomorrow, and we are having a meeting with the big whigs when we get to the heliport. Thank God, no one lost their life. If anyone has any questions, just ask. RD
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