Collision with Terrain/Object (non-CFIT): Hughes 269A, N7057L; accident occurred April 02, 2022 in Fort White, Columbia County, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Tri County Rentals and Sales Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N7057L

Location: Fort White, Florida

Accident Number: ERA22LA180

Date and Time: April 2, 2022, 10:30 Local

Registration: N7057L

Aircraft: Hughes 269A

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Injuries: 2 Minor

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The weather when the non-instrument-rated helicopter pilot initiated the flight included a ceiling of 250 ft mean sea level (msl) and visibility of ½ mile, which corresponded to instrument meteorological conditions. After flying for 15 minutes, the helicopter “entered a wall of fog.” The pilot attempted to turn the helicopter around and return to an area of better visibility; however, the tail rotor impacted trees. The pilot did not realize that the helicopter was in a right turn and reduced engine power. The helicopter descended to ground in a bank, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, tail-boom, and rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. According to the helicopter owner’s maintenance and flight manual, “instrument flight [is] prohibited.”

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to fly a visual flight rules only helicopter in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.

Findings

Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Aircraft Instrument flight capability - Related operating info

Environmental issues Below VFR minima - Effect on operation

Personnel issues Total instrument experience - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying Other weather encounter

Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 

Age: 75,Male

Airplane Rating(s): None

Seat Occupied: Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter

Restraint Used: 4-point

Instrument Rating(s): None 

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None 

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification: BasicMed With waivers/limitations 

Last FAA Medical Exam: April 25, 2018

Occupational Pilot: No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Hughes

Registration: N7057L

Model/Series: 269A

Aircraft Category: Helicopter

Year of Manufacture: 1967

Amateur Built:

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 1281052

Landing Gear Type: Skid

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: September 1, 2021 Annual

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

Time Since Last Inspection: 6.3 Hrs 

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 13948.2 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming

ELT: Installed

Engine Model/Series: HIO-360-B1A

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power: 180 Horsepower

Operator: 

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument (IMC) 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: GNV,134 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 29 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 09:35 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 129°

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Visibility: 0.25 miles

Lowest Ceiling: Indefinite (V V) / 200 ft AGL

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 100° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 30.04 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C / 18°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - None - Fog

Departure Point: Lake City, FL (15FL)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Trenton, FL

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 10:15 Local 

Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 Minor 

Latitude, Longitude: 29.992609,-82.709709 (est)