LAKE SUPERIOR HELICOPTERS, LLC
Also recorded as: ASCENT AVIATION, HELI CO., HELI CO. NEW ORLEANS, HELIX, LAKE SUPERIOR HELICOPTERS, LAKE SUPERIOR HELICOPTERS, LLC, Lake Superior Helicopters
Accident & enforcement record
Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.
NTSB accidents & incidents
Operated by Lake Superior Helicopters (per NTSB report)
The pilot's failure to identify and arrest the helicopter's descent due to spatial disorientation.
FAA enforcement actions
No FAA enforcement actions linked to this operator.
Maintenance disclosure history
Service Difficulty Reports are self-reported maintenance findings. The NUMBER of reports is not a measure of reliability — diligent operators file more, not fewer. These are shown for transparency, not as a negative signal. To verify a report, search its control number at the FAA SDRS site.
Reports span 2017–2021. Most-reported systems: Equipment & furnishings (25) — 1; Main rotor (62) — 1; Main rotor drive (63) — 1. Most-common natures of condition, as filed: FLUID LOSS — 1; MULTIPLE FAILURE — 1; WARNING INDICATION — 1.
3 reports on file.
Part: HARNESS — LOCKED (PILOT SEAT) · airframe 5,053 hrs · 1,947 cycles
MULTIPLE TIMES DURING MULTIPLE FLIGHTS, PILOTS 5 POINT HARNESS WOULD LOCK UP AND NOT RELEASE, NOT ALLOWING THE PILOT TO ACCESS FORWARD CONTROLS.
Part: ACTUATOR — OUT OF TOLERANCE (CLUTCH) · airframe 3,891 hrs
FLICKERING CLUTCH LIGHT NOTED. ON INSPECTION OF CLUTCH ACTUATOR FOUND ONE OF TWO TENSION SPRING SWITCHES TO NOT CLOSE ON ENGAGEMENT. FOUND SWITCH TO BE GOOD, ACTUATOR SPRING TENSION DID NOT MATCH OPPOSITE SIDE AND WAS NOT ENGAGING SWITCH WHEN ACTUATOR EXTENDED TO SET LIMITS. ACTUATOR REPLACED WITH OVERHAULED UNIT.
Part: BOOT — TORN (MAIN ROTOR) · airframe 3,016 hrs
DURING A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, FOUND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE BOOT TORN THROUGH AT INNER BOOT CLAMP. FLUID LEAKAGE NOTED ON BLADE BOOT AND MAST FAIRING. REMOVED THE BOOT, AND IT SHOWED A TEAR PROPAGATING FROM ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF CLAMP. OPPOSITE BLADE NOTED SIMILAR TEAR FORMING AT INNER CLAMP BUT NOT ALL THE WAY THROUGH. NO SHARP EDGES NOTED ON CLAMPS SUSPECT OVERLY TIGHTENED CLAMP ASSEMBLY.
Linked aircraft
| N-number | Make / model | Year | Status | Link basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N145DM | AIRBUS HELICOPTERS INC MBB-BK117 D-3 | — | Valid Registration | Operator named in NTSB report |
| N344ES | ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 | 2015 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N4911X | ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 | 2006 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N866H | BELL 206B | 1981 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate
Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.