More detail on this person: NTSB
Identification: LAX01LA304. The docket is stored
in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please
contact Records Management Division
Accident occurred Saturday, September 22, 2001 in
Chico, CA Probable Cause Approval Date:
6/8/2005
Aircraft: Aerospatiale AS350BA, registration:
N911NT Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious, 1
Uninjured.
During a steep approach to a confined landing
zone, the helicopter encountered a brown out
condition due to dust and dirt clouds formed by
the rotor downwash, and the helicopter collided
with trees during an attempted go-around. After
circling the landing area twice the pilot
approached the landing zone from the west to the
east. Ground witnesses and the onboard flight
nurses said the approach was completely normal
until the helicopter neared the ground. About 30
feet above the ground there was a dirt/dust
condition created from the helicopter's rotor
blades and the witnesses lost sight of the
helicopter. One flight nurse, who was using night
vision goggles to assist the pilot with ensuring
that the landing zone was clear, told
investigators that as the dust cloud formed their
outside vision was completely obscured. The flight
nurse asked the pilot if he could see anything,
but the pilot did not respond. The medical crew
estimated that the pilot started to go around
about 15 feet above the ground, and during the
go-around the helicopter drifted about 90 feet to
the south and impacted trees. Witnesses recalled
hearing the engine power up and then heard the
helicopter impact trees. During the engine power
up and go-around, no problems were heard with the
engine. The on board medical crew said that they
did not perceive any mechanical difficulties with
the helicopter.
The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident
as follows: the pilot's inadequate in-flight
decision and delay in initiating a go-around
during an encounter with brown out conditions,
which led to his failure to maintain alignment of
the helicopter with the intended go-around flight
path and a resulting collision with trees.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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