Bölkow BO 105 LS N93LF

Summary

On 14 November 2001 at about 07:33 local time, a Bölkow BO 105 LS registered N93LF was involved in an accident near Mud Lake, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 November 2001 at 07:33

Classification

Accident

Location

Mud Lake, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

44.3022, -113.0239

Aircraft

Bölkow BO 105 LS

Registration

N93LF

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mud Lake → Pocatello

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

SEA02LA014

1 person was seriously injured.

Pilot's failure to maintain adequate separation from terrain during the initial climb. Factors include spatial disorientation and a dark moonless night.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

In a written statement, the pilot reported that during a medical transport flight he performed a precautionary off airport landing due to a problem with the helicopter's fuel transfer pumps. After the repairs were made to the helicopter, the pilot initiated a normal departure under dark night conditions. Shortly after departure the helicopter collided with terrain. The pilot later reported that during the initial climb out, he lost visual references outside the aircraft and became disoriented just before the helicopter collided with terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction or failure had occurred during the accident flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.