Sikorsky HH-60L N260MW

Summary

On 28 February 2019 at about 21:00 local time, a Sikorsky HH-60L registered N260MW, operated by Aircraft Investment Holdings Llc, was involved in an accident near Tullahoma, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 February 2019 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Tullahoma, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Tullahoma Rgnl Arpt/Wm Norther (THA)

Coordinates

35.3458, -86.2703

Aircraft

Sikorsky HH-60L

Registration

N260MW

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1986

Engines

2

Operator

Aircraft Investment Holdings Llc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Scottsboro → Tullahoma

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA19TA110

2 people were seriously injured.

The flight crew’s improper decision to continue the VFR flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees during a subsequent precautionary landing attempt.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight crew was on a visual flight rules (VFR) ferry flight to reposition the helicopter for maintenance and inspection. Prior to departure, they had expected VFR conditions along the entire route of flight. During an intermediate stop for fuel about 42 miles from the destination, they noted the weather conditions appeared to be clear, but they did not obtain an updated weather briefing. After departure, about 10 miles away from their destination, they encountered heavy rain, moderate turbulence, and deteriorating visibility (a nearby airport reported a visibility of 2.5 statute miles in mist and an overcast cloud ceiling at 300 feet). They descended to about 100 feet above ground level to maintain visual contact with the ground. When VFR flight conditions “were no longer possible,” they performed a turn and attempted a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing, the helicopter struck trees and impacted terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.