N356EH

On December 3, 1993, at 1745 central standard time, a Bell 412, N356EH, was destroyed due to a post crash fire and impact with terrain near Cameron, Louisiana. The helicopter was owned and operated by ERA Aviation of Anchorage, Alaska. The airline transport rated pilot, the commercial copilot, and their two passengers sustained minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the on-demand air taxi flight.

A witness on the ground saw the aircraft fly by at about 300 or 400 feet and about 1/4 mile to the south. He reported that the helicopter started a right hand turn over the PHI base and started to lose altitude rapidly; it impacted the ground 300 yards short of its intended touchdown point.

The pilot reported that the "approach appeared normal". He recalled a rate of descent of 300 to 500 feet per minute with an approach speed that was "slightly slower due to the patchy haze/fog." He further reported that ground impact was "slightly less than 30 knots".

During an interview and in a written report the copilot stated that he was flying the aircraft and that the altimeter was passing through 400 feet and the airspeed indicator read 20 knots just prior to looking up "to pick out the lights at the base." He further stated that he could not "pick out the lights this time" due to "the fog and haze." He reported that the helicopter impacted the ground in a level attitude.

An examination of the helicopter, by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the operator, revealed no mechanical malfunctions.