Robinson R44-II N414CC

Summary

On 18 October 2013 at about 04:30 local time, a Robinson R44-II registered N414CC, operated by Kurt Mayhall, was involved in an accident near Sedro Woolley, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 October 2013 at 04:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Sedro Woolley, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.5900, -122.2564

Aircraft

Robinson R44-II

Registration

N414CC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Kurt Mayhall

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sedro Woolley → Seattle

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

WPR14CA019

Nobody was injured.

The non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions during initial climb and his improper decision to continue flight, which resulted in an in-flight impact with a tree and an emergency descent that resulted in a roll over on landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that prior to the night departure he checked the weather conditions for airports along his route of flight, each of which reported visual meteorological conditions existed. The pilot also observed that the night sky was clear during his preflight. After performing a maximum performance takeoff, and when about 65 feet above ground level, he encountered a thick layer of fog that had moved in during the 7-10 minute warm-up period and he lost all visual reference to the surrounding area. Having determined that he was able to keep the helicopter in a level attitude, the pilot decided to continue his ascent in an effort to get above the fog. A few seconds after initiating the ascent the helicopter impacted the top of a cedar tree. The pilot initiated an emergency descent and the helicopter sustained substantial damage after it impacted terrain and rolled over on its left side. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.