Eurocopter AS350BA N6099Z

Summary

On 23 September 1995 at about 16:25 local time, a Eurocopter AS350BA registered N6099Z was involved in an accident near Crater Lake, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 September 1995 at 16:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Crater Lake, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

42.9191, -122.1200

Aircraft

Eurocopter AS350BA

Registration

N6099Z

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Aurora → Las Vegas

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA95LA223

2 people died.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE WATER, WHILE PERFORMING LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION, AND LACK OF VISUAL CUES CONCERNING PERCEPTION OF ALTITUDE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was employed by a helicopter manufacturer as a demonstration pilot. He and a passenger departed on a flight to attend a business aviation convention. Along the route, the pilot was observed by numerous witnesses to perform low altitude flight maneuvers over a lake in a national park. While the helicopter was flying less than 300 feet over the surface of the lake, witnesses observed that it gradually descended in a shallow glidepath at cruise speed until it impacted the surface. The engine was reported to be providing power at the time of impact. No indication of mechanical failure was noted. The helicopter was flying toward the sun and over glassy water conditions at the time of impact. Neither it nor the occupants were retrieved.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.