Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Roosevelt Lake, AZ — 2012-12-07

Final reportWPR13CA064
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Date
2012-12-07
Location
Roosevelt Lake, AZ, USA
Airport
KSDL
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N557AC
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's visual disorientation, which resulted in a collision with the lake.

NTSB narrative

The pilot descended the helicopter out of mountainous terrain and then continued over a large mountain lake, cruising about 100 knots at an altitude of about 200 to 250 feet. The lake water was very clear and perfectly calm. The pilot looked inside the cockpit to check instruments, and when he looked outside and below the helicopter, he experienced a feeling of mental confusion similar to vertigo. At this point the pilot estimated that the helicopter was between 15 and 20 feet above the water. He pulled aft on the cyclic, the helicopter impacted the water, pitched forward, and sank. The pilot and his two passengers were able to egress the helicopter while it was submerged. Immediately after the accident the pilot told a park ranger who was on-scene that he was traveling a little low and thought he set a skid in the water. One of the passengers stated that moments before the collision with the water, the pilot had asked them if they wanted to get closer to the water and if they wanted to chase some birds.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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