Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 369D near Cherokee, AL — 2015-04-06

Final reportERA15FA178
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Date
2015-04-06
Location
Cherokee, AL, USA
Aircraft
HUGHES 369D
Registration
N555JC
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's spatial disorientation during a low-level river crossing in rainy, gray, reduced visibility meteorological conditions, which resulted in the helicopter's subsequent descent and impact with the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the low-level crossing under those meteorological conditions.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the low-level crossing under those meteorological conditions.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot of the helicopter positioning flight delayed the takeoff for inclement weather to pass. However, about 1/2 hour after taking off, the helicopter encountered rain, fog, and low-visibility, gray-lighting conditions. The helicopter approached a 1-mile wide river, landed briefly onshore, then took off again and began a low-altitude crossing while paralleling a bridge. The helicopter was observed at an estimated 25 feet above the river before it began descending at a 10- to 15-degree angle into the water about mid-way through the crossing. It impacted the water nose-low, left side down, at a sufficient speed for the witness to see the tail "kick over" the main rotor blades and snap off. There were no onboard recording devices to confirm what occurred. No preexisting anomalies were found with the helicopter, and no medical issues were identified that would have affected the pilot's performance. The reason that the pilot landed before crossing the river could not be determined. Although the pilot's attention could have been momentarily diverted, it was more likely that the rainy, gray, reduced-visibility conditions resulted in low altitude spatial disorientation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight due to low visibility and fog conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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