Coast Guard Calls Off Search for Four Missing from Helicopter that Crashed Near Gulf of Mexico Platform

The Coast Guard called off its search for four passengers onboard a downed helicopter about 10 miles off the coast of Southwest Pass, Louisiana, at 6:15 p.m. Thursday.

At around 8:40 a.m., Coast Guard District Eight watchstanders got a call from Rotorcraft Leasing Company personnel indicating that a company helicopter with four people aboard had gone down in the Gulf of Mexico while departing an oil platform.

Sector New Orleans watchstanders coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and a Coast Guard Station Venice 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew to assist in the search.

Debris from helicopter crash on an oil rig 10 miles off Southwest Pass, Louisiana, Dec. 29, 2022. Coast Guard District Eight watchstanders received a call from Rotorcraft Leasing Company personnel stating a company helicopter with four people aboard went down in the Gulf of Mexico while in the process of departing an oil platform. (U.S. Cost Guard photo)

The crew searched approximately 180 square miles for 8 hours.

“It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Keefe, Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator. “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.”

Rescue crews involved in the search were: Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and Coast Guard Station Venice 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew