NTSB Final Report: Waterford, CA
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Location:
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Waterford, California
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Accident Number:
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WPR25LA112
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Date & Time:
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March 15, 2025, 11:00 Local
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Registration:
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N402TA
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Aircraft:
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Enstrom 280FX
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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Defining Event:
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Low altitude operation/event
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Injuries:
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1 Serious, 1 Minor
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 91: General aviation - Personal
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Analysis
A witness video showed the helicopter flying very low over a lake before it impacted the water. During postaccident interviews with news outlets, the pilot stated he and a passenger were flying the helicopter low over clear water, when his “depth perception got a little off”, and he drove the helicopter into the water. The helicopter fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot did not complete a NTSB Form 6120.1 Accident/Incident Report.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.
Findings
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Altitude - Incorrect use/operation
Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Water/moisture - Effect on equipment
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event (Defining event)
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Miscellaneous/other
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Private
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Age:
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71,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land
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Seat Occupied:
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Unknown
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Unknown
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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Occupational Pilot:
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UNK
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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Flight Time:
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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Enstrom
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Registration:
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N402TA
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Model/Series:
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280FX
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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2006
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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2122
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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2
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Date/Type of Last
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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2600 lbs
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Inspection:
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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Registered Owner:
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On file
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Rated Power:
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s)
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None
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Held:
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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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KMOD,87 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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14 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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10:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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260°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Overcast / 4200 ft AGL
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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/
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Turbulence Type
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.17 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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12°C / 7°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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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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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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Destroyed
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Passenger
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1 Serious
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Serious, 1 Minor
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Latitude,
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37.66654,-120.6631(est)
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Longitude:
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Baker, Daniel
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Additional Participating
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Mike McMilan; FAA; Fresno, CA
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Persons:
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Original Publish Date:
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July 3, 2025
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Last Revision Date:
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Investigation Class:
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Class 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=199873
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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