Bell 206B N333FC

Summary

On 7 January 1998 at about 01:34 local time, a Bell 206B registered N333FC was involved in an accident near Pooler, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 January 1998 at 01:34

Classification

Accident

Location

Pooler, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

32.0993, -81.2494

Aircraft

Bell 206B

Registration

N333FC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Stuart → Savannah

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

MIA98LA053

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain a safe altitude and a visual lookout while operating under a special visual flight rules clearance in instrument flight rule conditions, which resulted in the helicopter colliding with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain an adequate weather briefing for conditions at his destination, his continued visual flight rules into instrument flight rule conditions, and his failure to reset the altimeter to the current setting.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The noninstrument-rated pilot stated he received a weather briefing via computer prior to departure. While approaching his destination he was told the airport was under instrument flight rules conditions. He requested and received a special visual flight rules clearance to approach the airport. While maneuvering to line up with the airport the helicopter collided with an oak tree. An emergency landing was then made in a field. The passenger stated that he did not observe the pilot reset the altimeter during the entire flight and that at the time the helicopter collided with the trees the altimeter read about 480 feet. The elevation at the Savannah Airport is 51 feet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.