Witness Observations
A witness observed a helicopter flying over his apartment building at an altitude of less than 100 feet. The helicopter then traveled away from the building on a southwesterly heading in a level attitude, with the witness estimating its altitude at approximately 350 feet above the ground. The witness reported seeing the helicopter initiate a slow banked turn to the left toward a southerly heading. The bank angle increased from 30 degrees to 90 degrees, after which the helicopter pitched down and descended at a nose-down angle of 70 to 80 degrees. The witness lost sight of the helicopter when it descended below the tree tops.
Another witness in the same building stated that as the helicopter was moving westward, it was getting closer to the tree tops. This witness reported that the helicopter "banked real hard [to the] south, so that the [main rotor] blades were perpendicular to the ground." The helicopter then "went straight down in a dive, nose first." The witness said the helicopter was only 15 feet above the tree tops when it dove in.
Examination Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies.
Toxicology Results
FAA toxicology testing of specimens from the pilot detected 0.007 (ug/ml, ug/g) chlorpheniramine in urine.