Bell 206L N400EH

Summary

On 18 October 2001 at about 23:43 local time, a Bell 206L registered N400EH was involved in an accident near Anchorage, Alaska, United States. 5 people were on board and 3 died, 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 October 2001 at 23:43

Classification

Accident

Location

Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.1686, -150.0878

Aircraft

Bell 206L

Registration

N400EH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fire Island → Anchorage

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02FA008

3 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the surface of an open body of water while intentionally attempting to maintain a very low altitude while in cruise flight. Factors include falling snow, low ceilings, whiteout/greyout conditions, and flat/glassy water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Because of falling snow and low ceilings, the pilot, who did not hold an instrument rating, was intentionally flying very low over the surface of an open area of flat/glassy water in whiteout/greyout conditions. As he continued on toward his destination, he kept getting lower and lower in order to maintain visual reference with the water's surface. Eventually the helicopter's skids drug through the water, followed almost immediately by the tail rotor colliding with the water, and soon thereafter by the helicopter's airframe impacting the water's surface.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.