Louisiana Pilot Dies In Crash

The United States Coast Guard is reporting that the body of a pilot has been found.  The pilot's helicopter went down in the Gulf of Mexico. They report that divers from the Ocean Inspector found the body of pilot inside the cockpit.

The Coast Guard says the helicopter is owned by PHI Inc.  There was a crash involving that helicopter yesterday afternoon.  Petroleum Helicopters spokesman Dave Stepanek is only confirming that one of their helicopters was in the water.  They are expected to release more information later today.

The Times-Picayune reports that in 2009, a helicopter operated by PHI crashed en route to a Gulf of Mexico oil platform.  Two pilots and six of seven passengers aboard were killed in that crash. Investigators suspected that a bird hit the aircraft.