NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard responded to a report of a downed helicopter near Belle Isle, south of Morgan City, Thursday.
Watchstanders at the Eighth Coast Guard District command center received a call at 9:11 a.m., that reported that a downed Robinson R44 helicopter, owned by Cenac Marine Services LLC, was on fire on Belle Isle. The helicopter reportedly departed the Houma-Terrebonne Airport after 8 a.m. Two people were recovered and pronounced deceased.
Search and rescue assets include:
- Two MH-65C Dolphin helicopters and crews from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans;
- The 75-foot Coast Guard Cutter Axe and crew, homeported in Morgan City;
- A 25-foot Response Boat-Small and crew from Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Morgan City;
- St. Mary’s Parish Police and Fire Departments.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the two people who died in this tragic accident,” said Capt. Edward Cubanski, chief of the Incident Management Branch for the Eighth District. “We will continue to work closely with the parish and the Federal Aviation Administration to assist in the recovery operations and support the investigation to continue to provide quick action and efficient response to maritime disasters such as this one.”
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
