Robinson R22 N411MJ

Summary

On 11 December 2000 at about 00:03 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N411MJ, operated by Volar Helicopters Inc., was involved in an accident near Marathon, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 December 2000 at 00:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Marathon, Florida, United States

Coordinates

25.0091, -80.5096

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N411MJ

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Volar Helicopters Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Marathon → Fort Lauderdale

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

MIA01LA039

2 people had minor injuries.

The certified flight instructors disregard of an FAA weather forecast stating VFR flight not recommended resulting in VFR flight into known instrument flight conditions, loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation, and subsequent in-flight descent and in-flight collision with the Atlantic Ocean.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certified flight instructors (CFI) attempted VFR flight to his destination airport without a weather briefing. Instrument flight conditions were encountered and the pilot landed on an island. The CFI called an FAA Automated Flight Service Station and received a standard weather briefing. The forecaster informed the CFI that VFR flight was not recommended. The CFI attempted VFR flight after he thought the weather had moved through his location, and encountered instrument flight conditions. He attempted to reverse his course, became spatially disoriented, and the helicopter descended and collided with the Atlantic Ocean.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.