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NTSB Final Report: Lake Apopka, FL

 

Location:

Lake Apopka, Florida

Accident Number:

ERA22LA206

Date & Time:

April 26, 2022, 07:16 Local

Registration:

N206BX

Aircraft:

Bell 206

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Defining Event:

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Injuries:

1 Minor

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


Factual Information

History of Flight

Maneuvering-low-alt flying           Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate:                         Airline transport; Commercial             Age:                                           55,Male

Airplane Rating(s):             Single-engine land; Multi-engine         Seat Occupied:                                  Right land

Other Aircraft Rating(s):    Helicopter                                          Restraint Used:                                  4-point

Instrument Rating(s):         Airplane; Helicopter                           Second Pilot Present:                        No

Instructor Rating(s):           Airplane multi-engine; Airplane          Toxicology Performed:

single-engine; Helicopter; Instrument airplane

Medical Certification:         Class 1 With waivers/limitations         Last FAA Medical Exam:                    August 11, 2021

Occupational Pilot:             Yes                                                     Last Flight Review or Equivalent:     March 22, 2022

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)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:

Bell

Registration:

N206BX

 

Model/Series:

206 B

Aircraft Category:

Helicopter

 

Year of Manufacture:

1979

Amateur Built:

 

 

Airworthiness Certificate:

Normal; Restricted (Special)

Serial Number:

2872

 

Landing Gear Type:

None; High skid

Seats:

5

 

Date/Type of Last Inspection:

February 1, 2022 Annual

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

3200 lbs

 

Time Since Last Inspection:

21 Hrs

Engines:

1 Turbo shaft

 

Airframe Total Time:

12575 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer:

Rolls Royce

 

ELT:

C126 installed, not activated

Engine Model/Series:

M250C20B

 

Registered Owner:

 

Rated Power:

420 Horsepower

 

Operator:

 

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

Agricultural aircraft

(137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light:

Day

Observation Facility, Elevation:

ORL,112 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

17 Nautical Miles

Observation Time:

07:53 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

93°

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Clear

Visibility

10 miles

Lowest Ceiling:

None

Visibility (RVR):

 

Wind Speed/Gusts:

/                                           Turbulence Type

Forecast/Actual:

/

Wind Direction:

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:

/

Altimeter Setting:

30.15 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point:

21°C / 18°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

No Obscuration; No Precipitation

 

Departure Point:

Lake Apopka, FL

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

None

Destination:

Lake Apopka, FL

Type of Clearance:

None

Departure Time:

Type of Airspace:

Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

1 Minor

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

 

Aircraft Fire:

None

Ground Injuries:

N/A

Aircraft Explosion:

None

Total Injuries:

1

Minor

Latitude, Longitude:

28.562433,-81.66275(est)

         

Administrative Information

Investigator In Charge (IIC):

Wentz, Peter

 

Additional Participating Persons:

John Breen; FAA - FSDO; Orlando, FL

 

Original Publish Date:

October 13, 2022                                                                         Investigation Class:

4

Note:

The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

 

Investigation Docket:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105003

 

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