NTSB Identification: FTW85LA119.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 27695.
Accident occurred Tuesday, February 19, 1985 in HOUMA, LA
Aircraft: SIKORSKY S-76A, registration: N31223
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.THE AIRCREW HAD JUST COMPLETED A MEDIVAC FLT & WERE REPOSITIONING THE HELICOPTER TO THE HOME BASE. WHILE THEY WERE EN ROUTE, THE COMPANY DISPATCHER INFORMED THE CREW THAT FOG WAS MOVING INTO THE AREA & THAT THEY HAD BETTER HURRY. DURING THE NIGHT APCH, THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, ABOUT 300 WEST OF THE THRESHOLD TO RWY 18. THE CREW STATED THAT THE LAST THING THEY REMEMBER WAS BEING AT 250 FT AGL WHILE ATTEMPTING A VFR APCH. ONE PLT WAS MONITORING THE INSTRUMENTS WHILE THE OTHER WAS ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN THE RWY ENVIRONMENT. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED & THE PLTS WERE QUALIFIED TO MAKE AN INSTRUMENT APCH.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
PLANNED APPROACH..IMPROPER..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC..CONTINUED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LIGHT CONDITION..DARK NIGHT
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..FOG
Contributing Factors
UNDERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
UNDERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY..COPILOT/SECOND PILOT
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