ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 58912
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| Date: | Sunday 8 March 2009 |
| Time: | 14:26 |
| Type: |  Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV |
| Owner/operator: | Hillcrest Aircraft Co |
| Registration: | N863H |
| MSN: | 52252 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2000 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2583 hours |
| Engine model: | Allison 250-C30P |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Moundridge, KS -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Ogallala, NE (OGA) |
| Newton, KS (EWK) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
While en route to the destination airport, the helicopter impacted terrain in a relatively level attitude at high speed. A review of the helicopter’s Sky Connect flight path showed fluctuations in altitude prior to the helicopter’s impact with terrain. The pilot had severe obstructive sleep apnea known to the FAA and effectively treated it with routine use of a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, which was found among the pilot’s personal effects in the wreckage. It was not possible to determine whether the pilot had used the device in the days leading up to the accident. Also found among the pilot’s personal effects was a container of nasal swabs marketed for the relief of congestion. It is possible (but could not be conclusively determined) that the pilot had nasal congestion that prevented him from using his CPAP in the day or days leading up to the accident, potentially resulting in severe fatigue on the day of the accident. An examination of the airframe and engine did not detect any anomalies prior to impact. An examination of the helicopter's annunciator panel did not reveal evidence that any lights were illuminated at the time of impact.
Probable Cause: Inflight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 09-Mar-2009 11:59 | harro | Updated |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:25 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 01-Dec-2017 12:16 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Other fatalities, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
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