MD Helicopters 369 N650AG

Summary

On 18 March 2022 at about 18:32 local time, a MD Helicopters 369 registered N650AG was involved in an accident near Loxahatchee, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 March 2022 at 18:32

Classification

Accident

Location

Loxahatchee, Florida, United States

Coordinates

26.8537, -80.3000

Aircraft

MD Helicopters 369

Registration

N650AG

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1971

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Delary Beach → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA22FA160

2 people died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines 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 held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane ratings but did not possess a helicopter rating at the time of the accident. He did have a logbook endorsement for solo student flight with helicopters with the prohibition of carrying passengers. The passenger was a pilot-rated for single-engine land airplanes and did not have any helicopter experience. According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data, the helicopter departed an airport and flew north over swampy, state land. The data further showed the helicopter flying at altitudes from 25 to 75 ft above ground level (agl) and at speeds between 83 to 100 knots before colliding with high-voltage power lines. The helicopter came to rest in a swampy field about 250 ft from the power lines. The power lines were measured at 80 ft agl. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.