Flight Purpose and Weather
The flight was intended to transport two company employees to an island located 22 miles offshore. The pilot held no instrument rating. Weather conditions along the coast featured overcast skies with cloud bases between 700 and 1,100 feet and tops between 1,900 and 2,200 feet, with visibilities generally ranging from 4 to 5 miles. Ground and pilot witnesses reported localized lower cloud bases of 350 to 500 feet and reduced visibilities of about 1.5 miles in the area of the accident site.
Radar Track Analysis
Review of recorded radar data revealed that the helicopter descended from a cruise altitude of 900 feet and crossed the shoreline at 400 feet. Upon reaching the accident site location, it climbed to 600 feet over 19 seconds, then turned right to a northerly heading while ascending from 600 to 900 feet. The turn radius was calculated at 720 feet at an average ground speed of 69 knots. Subsequently, the helicopter descended to 700 feet as the radar track initiated a wide left turn, which then reversed into a tight right turn. The last four radar returns showed a right turn with a 120-foot radius and a consistent Mode C altitude report of 700 feet. The average computed ground speed during this turn was 67 knots. The final radar return was a secondary beacon without a Mode C altitude report, located approximately 200 feet from where the wreckage was found on the ocean floor.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.