McDonnell Douglas 369E N16056

Summary

On 3 September 2015 at about 19:20 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E registered N16056, operated by East Volusia Mosquito Control District, was involved in an accident near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 September 2015 at 19:20

Classification

Accident

Location

New Smyrna Beach, Florida, United States

Coordinates

29.0839, -81.7669

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 369E

Registration

N16056

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1989

Engines

1

Operator

East Volusia Mosquito Control District

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New Smyrna Beach → New Smyrna Beach

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA15LA337

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had just finished spraying one field and was making a 270-degree right turn to line up with a second field. During the turn, the pilot glanced over his left shoulder to select a visual reference point upon which to line up the helicopter after completing the turn. The pilot looked forward again, and the trees lining the fields were immediately in front of him. He attempted to climb the helicopter by applying power but was unable to avoid the trees. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction or abnormality with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.