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Location:
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Lake Apopka, Florida
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Accident Number:
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ERA22LA206
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Date & Time:
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April 26, 2022, 07:16 Local
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Registration:
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N206BX
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Aircraft:
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Bell 206
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
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Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural
Analysis
The pilot of the helicopter departed the landing zone to conduct an aerial application flight over a lake. He stated that he established course on his spray line but “lost sight of everything looking forward due to the glare off the water and the sun position.” He recalled having no depth perception when he looked down at the water and could not recall the helicopter impacting the water but recalled a momentary shudder followed by the helicopter coming to rest inverted. The helicopter’s fuselage, main and tail rotor blades were substantially damaged during the impact. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: A collision with water following a loss of visual reference to the water surface due to sun glare.
Findings
Aircraft - Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues - Glare - Effect on personnel
Personnel issues - Visual illusion/disorientation - Pilot
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
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Pilot Information
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Certificate: Airline transport; Commercial Age: 55,Male
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Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine Seat Occupied: Right land
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Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter Restraint Used: 4-point
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Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter Second Pilot Present: No
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Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Airplane Toxicology Performed:
single-engine; Helicopter; Instrument airplane
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Medical Certification: Class 1 With waivers/limitations Last FAA Medical Exam: August 11, 2021
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Occupational Pilot: Yes Last Flight Review or Equivalent: March 22, 2022
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Flight Time: 10725 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3087 hours (Total, this make and model), 6777 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 148 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 65 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Bell
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Registration:
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N206BX
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Model/Series:
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206 B
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1979
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal; Restricted (Special)
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Serial Number:
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2872
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Landing Gear Type:
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None; High skid
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Seats:
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5
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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February 1, 2022 Annual
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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3200 lbs
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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21 Hrs
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Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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12575 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Rolls Royce
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ELT:
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C126 installed, not activated
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Engine Model/Series:
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M250C20B
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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420 Horsepower
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Operator:
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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Agricultural aircraft
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(137)
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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ORL,112 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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17 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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07:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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93°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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/ Turbulence Type
Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.15 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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21°C / 18°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Lake Apopka, FL
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Lake Apopka, FL
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1
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Minor
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Latitude, Longitude:
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28.562433,-81.66275(est)
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| |
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Wentz, Peter
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Additional Participating Persons:
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John Breen; FAA - FSDO; Orlando, FL
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Original Publish Date:
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October 13, 2022 Investigation Class:
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4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105003
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