Robinson R44 II N571AC

Summary

On 9 February 2014 at about 00:45 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N571AC, operated by Tallahassee Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Panacea, Florida, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 February 2014 at 00:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Panacea, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Wakulla County (2J0)

Coordinates

29.9894, -84.3911

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N571AC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Tallahassee Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Panacea → Tallahassee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

ERA14FA115

2 people died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during a takeoff at night. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and two passengers departed on a local flight to a nearby airport. They arrived near sunset, dined at a local restaurant, and returned about 1 hour later. Multiple witnesses reported that the area where the helicopter was parked was dark on the night of the accident; the airport manager stated that the runway lights did not illuminate the trees at the end of the runway. After a preflight inspection, the pilot started the helicopter and announced his position and intentions over the common traffic advisory frequency. A passenger reported that she heard the pilot say, "here we go." The helicopter then impacted the tops of 50-ft-tall trees about 350 ft from the departure location. Examination of the airframe and wreckage revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot had accumulated 1 hour of night flight experience in the 11 months before the accident flight. Given the dark night conditions at the time of departure and his lack of recent night flight experience, it is likely that the pilot was unaware of the trees and did not successfully navigate above the trees and away from the airport. Review of the pilot's medical records and toxicology report revealed that he had been taking a disqualifying medication (pramipexole) since 2006. He reported the use of the medication during his aviation medical exam in 2012, and, although the medication should have been disqualifying, the aviation medical examiner issued the pilot a medical certificate. While symptoms of the disqualifying medication included "falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including operation of motor vehicles," witnesses reported no abnormalities in the pilot's sleep patterns or behavior, including on the day of the flight. Based on witness statements and the pilot's long history of using this medication, it is likely that he was not affected by the medication's published symptoms during the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.