ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 295064
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| Date: | Tuesday 21 October 2003 |
| Time: | 07:45 LT |
| Type: |  Hughes 369HS |
| Owner/operator: | Big Bird Leasing Inc. |
| Registration: | N49TJ |
| MSN: | 550747S |
| Year of manufacture: | 1975 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 9394 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C20 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Evansville, Minnesota -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Lake Christina, MN (N/A) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The helicopter was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with a lake while conducting an aerial application pass. The local flight was operating from a temporary load site near the lake shoreline. The pilot stated: "The conditions were calm winds, sun coming up over the trees to the east, glassy water condition. During the spray run I must [have] lost my depth perception with the water surface and allowed the skids to contact the water. The aircraft decelerated rapidly ... [and] water came up over the bubble as the aircraft pitched forward." The pilot also noted that he should have "looked at the trees along the shoreline for a vertical reference instead of at the water. With glassy water it is hard to judge distance." He reported there were no malfunctions with the aircraft or engine prior to the accident.
Probable Cause: The pilot's misjudgment of clearance from the surface of the lake during the aerial application pass. The low altitude operation, glassy water, and his visual perception were contributing factors.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CHI04LA017
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Oct-2022 17:32 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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