Eurocopter EC120B N298HS

Summary

On 26 June 2003 at about 03:45 local time, a Eurocopter EC120B registered N298HS was involved in an accident near Boonville, Missouri, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 June 2003 at 03:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Boonville, Missouri, United States

Coordinates

38.7781, -92.6958

Aircraft

Eurocopter EC120B

Registration

N298HS

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Boonville → Osage Beach

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CHI03FA179

1 person died.

The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation which resulted in his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. An additional cause was the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. The dark night, thunderstorms, rain and lack of instrument rating were contributing factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter impacted terrain during cruise flight in night instrument meteorological conditions. The pilot had previously landed due to deteriorating weather encountered along his route of flight. Thunderstorms with heavy rain and reduced visibilities were passing through the accident area. After landing, the pilot evaluated the weather and elected to continue onto his planned destination. The pilot did not obtain a FAA weather briefing prior to departing on the accident flight. The helicopter encountered instrument meteorological conditions during the accident flight. The helicopter impacted terrain while attempting to return to the departure airport. The wreckage was located 10.1nm south of the departure airport. The pilot was not instrument rated and had not logged any instrument flight time. The pilot had accumulated 8.5 hours of night experience and his last logged night flight was 10 months prior to the accident. Inspection of the wreckage did not exhibit any evidence of pre-impact malfunction that would have prevented normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.