Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON R44 near Sao Bento do Sul — 2011-12-09

Final reportERA12WA113
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Date
2011-12-09
Location
Sao Bento do Sul, BR
Aircraft
ROBINSON R44
Registration
PR-KLA
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1

Probable cause

Investigated by a foreign authority; NTSB does not determine probable cause.

NTSB narrative

On December 9, 2011 at 1630 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44, Brazilian registration PR-KLA, operated by SASH Locacao de Veiculos LTDA, as a personal flight, impacted terrain in the vicinity of Fazenda Coqueiros, Sao Bento do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The commercial-rated pilot was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Malwee Jaragua do Sul Airport (SSJS), Santa Catarina, Brazil en-route to a heliport (SNDY) in the vicinity of Fazenda Coqueiros. According to the Brazilian authorities witnesses reported hearing the helicopter flying over the region in cloudy weather with light rain. Suddenly there was the noise of an explosion. When they arrived at the accident site the helicopter was found destroyed. This investigation is under jurisdiction of the Government of Brazil. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Aeronautical Accident Prevention and Investigation Center Investigative Division SHIS–QI 05–VI COMAR Brasilia-DF, Brazil 71.615-600 dac.saai@cenipa.aer.mil.br This report is for informational purposes, and contains only information released by the Government of Brazil.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided flight in IMC conditions without a flight plan.

NTSB coding

  • Loss of visual reference · Enroute-cruise

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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