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NTSB Report
July 5, 1991 · Hughes 369D · N18KJ
Napa, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Napa, CA
Aircraft
Hughes 369D
Tail Number
N18KJ
Operator
Nova Group
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA289
THE 70-HOUR STUDENT HELICOPTER PILOT HELD AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE (AIRPLANES). THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT BETWEEN HIS HOME AND HIS OFFICE. AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF THE PILOT WAS AWARE THERE WAS A 500 FOOT CEILING AND THE VISIBILITY WAS ONE MILE. AFTER FLYING FOR FIVE MINUTES THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED DECREASING VISIBILITY (1/16 MILE) AND GROUND FOG. THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE AND COLLIDED WITH THE UNDERLYING TERRAIN. THE ACCIDENT PILOT'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD AUTHORIZED THE PILOT TO ONLY FLY THE HELICOPTER IN VFR CONDITIONS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN FLIGHT DECISION TO FLY IN THE BELOW VFR WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HIS MISJUDGED WEATHER EVALUATION.
Full Narrative
THE 70-HOUR STUDENT HELICOPTER PILOT HELD AN AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE (AIRPLANES). THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A BUSINESS FLIGHT BETWEEN HIS HOME AND HIS OFFICE. AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF THE PILOT WAS AWARE THERE WAS A 500 FOOT CEILING AND THE VISIBILITY WAS ONE MILE. AFTER FLYING FOR FIVE MINUTES THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED DECREASING VISIBILITY (1/16 MILE) AND GROUND FOG. THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE AND COLLIDED WITH THE UNDERLYING TERRAIN. THE ACCIDENT PILOT'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD AUTHORIZED THE PILOT TO ONLY FLY THE HELICOPTER IN VFR CONDITIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftHughes 369D
Tail NumberN18KJ
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNova Group
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO