Pilot Debrief

BELL 206B near King Salmon, AK — 2024-09-07

Final reportANC24FA089
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Date
2024-09-07
Location
King Salmon, AK, USA
Aircraft
BELL 206B
Registration
N306FW
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to initiate the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation, failure to maintain helicopter control and subsequent impact with water.

NTSB narrative

The commercial, instrument-rated pilot was departing under special visual flight rules clearance in instrument meteorological conditions. Shortly after takeoff the pilot encountered a dense fog bank while flying over the calm water of a river. He stated he attempted to turn around, but he lost his visual reference with the river. The pilot stated he then attempted to climb but became disoriented and a few seconds later the helicopter impacted the water. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Spatial disorientation
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight upon encountering dense fog.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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