FlarePath

What happened

NTSB summary, verbatim

The commercial, instrument-rated pilot was departing under special visual flight rules clearance in instrument meteorological conditions. Shortly after takeoff the pilot encountered a dense fog bank while flying over the calm water of a river. He stated he attempted to turn around, but he lost his visual reference with the river. The pilot stated he then attempted to climb but became disoriented and a few seconds later the helicopter impacted the water. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Photographs

22the aircraft, and what the investigators found

Wreckage and site documentation · 22 photographs from the docket

Photographs are NTSB docket attachments — works of the US government, in the public domain. Captions are the Board’s own.

Probable cause

the Board's determination

The pilot’s decision to initiate the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, failure to maintain helicopter control and subsequent impact with water.

Occurrence sequence

2 stepsNTSB coding · CICTT taxonomy

1 · Enroute
VFR encounter with IMC
defining event
2 · Maneuvering-low-alt flying
Loss of control in flight

Findings

6 causal · 2 contributing

CAUSE
Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment — Pilot
CAUSE
Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low visibility — Effect on personnel
CAUSE
Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Below VFR minima — Effect on personnel
CAUSE
Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control — Pilot
CAUSE
Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Spatial disorientation — Pilot
CAUSE
Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Situational awareness — Pilot
FACTOR
Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system — Pilot
FACTOR
Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusion › Visual illusion/disorientation — Pilot

NTSB analysis

from the final report

The commercial, instrument-rated pilot was departing under special visual flight rules clearance in instrument meteorological conditions. Shortly after takeoff the pilot encountered a dense fog bank while flying over the calm water of a river. He stated he attempted to turn around, but he lost his visual reference with the river. The pilot stated he then attempted to climb but became disoriented and a few seconds later the helicopter impacted the water. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.