Pilot Debrief

BELL 206 near Lake Apopka, FL — 2022-04-26

Final reportERA22LA206
Sign in to save
Date
2022-04-26
Location
Lake Apopka, FL, USA
Aircraft
BELL 206
Registration
N206BX
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A collision with water following a loss of visual reference to the water surface due to sun glare.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the helicopter departed the landing zone to conduct an aerial application flight over a lake. He stated that he established course on his spray line but “lost sight of everything looking forward due to the glare off the water and the sun position.” He recalled having no depth perception when he looked down at the water and could not recall the helicopter impacting the water but recalled a momentary shudder followed by the helicopter coming to rest inverted. The helicopter’s fuselage, main and tail rotor blades were substantially damaged during the impact. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

Related mishaps