Bell 206-L4 N863H

Summary

On 8 March 2009 at about 19:26 local time, a Bell 206-L4 registered N863H, operated by Hillcrest Aircraft Co, was involved in an accident near Moundridge, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 March 2009 at 19:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Moundridge, Kansas, United States

Coordinates

38.2114, -97.5653

Aircraft

Bell 206-L4

Registration

N863H

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Hillcrest Aircraft Co

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ogallala → Newton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09FA193

1 person died.

Inflight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.