| Crash location | 30.037222°N, 91.881667°W |
| Nearest city | New Iberia, LA
30.003536°N, 91.818729°W 4.4 miles away |
| Tail number | N860AL |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 18 Feb 2018 |
| Aircraft type | Sikorsky S76 |
| Additional details: | None |
The pilot reported that while the co-pilot was taxiing the wheel-equipped helicopter to the runway for departure, he saw a "bump" on the concrete. The co-pilot reported that he attempted to stop before the "bump", which turned out to be a pothole, but the helicopter struck the pothole with the right main landing gear, which collapsed. The pilot and the co-pilot both reported that the taxi speed was less than 5 knots.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the internal fuselage structure.
The Director of Operations reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The helicopter’s striking of a pothole while taxiing, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing.