Hughes 369E N4TP

Summary

On 19 January 1995 at about 00:57 local time, a Hughes 369E registered N4TP was involved in an accident near Tampa, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 January 1995 at 00:57

Classification

Accident

Location

Tampa, Florida, United States

Coordinates

27.9596, -82.4893

Aircraft

Hughes 369E

Registration

N4TP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

MIA95GA062

1 person died.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AS A RESULT OF BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTED WHILE MANEUVERING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT WITH NO VISIBLE HORIZON.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

POLICE OFFICERS OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER IN THE VICINITY OF A BRIDGE CONDUCTING AN OVER WATER SEARCH FOR A DROWNING VICTIM. THE HELICOPTER WAS OBSERVED TO START A LEFT DESCENDING TURN AND CONTINUED IN THE DESCENT UNTIL THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE WATER. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DESCRIBED AS VERY DARK WITH LIGHT WIND. THE ONLY VISIBLE LIGHT WAS THAT EMANATING FROM THE BRIDGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.