Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON R-44 near Gallatin, TN — 2008-11-03

Final reportERA09FA036
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Date
2008-11-03
Location
Gallatin, TN, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON R-44
Registration
N300FX
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent descent into water as a result of the dark night and limited outside visual references.

NTSB narrative

The certificated private pilot was flying his second of two solo night flights for an add-on helicopter rating. He flew the same route as the previous evening but, due to a change from daylight savings time to standard time, he was flying the route an hour later. The end of nautical twilight was about 15 minutes before the accident and the moon was in its crescent phase. According to radar data, which did not include altitude readouts, the helicopter overflew a river leading to a small town, then followed the river, mid-stream, as it turned to the left. The helicopter then flew over a bridge and disappeared into the river on the other side. Examinations of the wreckage revealed no mechanical anomalies. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating and was conducting night operations over water, which likely resulted in spatial disorientation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight due to night conditions and lack of experience.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 28 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents28

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