On December 1, 1999, at approximately 1700 GMT, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N5005B, was substantially damaged upon impact with the water following a loss of engine power during takeoff from an offshore oil exploration platform near Cabinda, Republic of Angola. The instrument rated commercial pilot and one of his passengers were seriously injured. Another passenger was fatally injured. The single engine helicopter was owned and operated by Petroleum Helicopters Inc., (PHI) of Lafayette, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the on-demand air taxi flight for which a company flight plan was filed. The flight's destination was the oil company's base at Cabinda, approximately 28 miles to the east of the platform. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

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