Body of helicopter pilot found in Gulf of Mexico, Coast Guard says

A dive team found the body of a pilot inside the cockpit of a helicopter that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico this afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard has announced. An initial report at 4:13 p.m. from boaters said that a helicopter that transports workers to oil rigs had hit the water about 35 miles southwest of Grand Isle very close to its destination. It sent a 45-foot vessel and a search helicopter to find the wreck.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, Coast Guard spokesman Steven Lehmann said.

The Bell helicopter, a model that carries seven people, was owned by PHI Inc. and was flying to a rig, he said.

PHI spokesman Dave Stepanek would only confirm that one of the company’s helicopter was in the water.

The pilot has not been identified.

Body of helicopter pilot found in Gulf of Mexico, Coast Guard says | NOLA.com.