Accident Overview
On September 7, 2000, about 0850 local time, a rotorcraft operated by the North Carolina Forest Service departed Macon County Airport in Franklin, North Carolina, on a visual flight rules flight. The intended destination was the Haywood County Mountain Research Station near Waynesville, where the aircraft, its firefighting equipment, and crew were to be part of a static display for school children.
Weather Conditions
The Federal Aviation Administration flight service stations had been broadcasting an Airmet Sierra advisory warning of low ceilings and mountain obscurations for the Franklin/Waynesville area. This advisory was in effect from 2000 on September 6 until 1000 on September 7. During the flight, witnesses reported very heavy ground fog in the Waynesville area.
Flight and Collision
The flight followed highway 23/74 to Sylva before continuing toward Waynesville. About five minutes from the destination, the pilot radioed the Haywood County Forest Ranger, who had secured the landing zone, that he would land the rotorcraft and wait for unexpected fog to lift. Residents in West Waynesville observed and heard the rotorcraft attempting to navigate through the dense fog. The rotorcraft subsequently collided with trees in mountainous terrain south of West Waynesville at an elevation of approximately 4,400 feet.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the crash site, as well as factory examinations of the engine and rotor mast, revealed no precrash mechanical malfunctions. Toxicological testing of the pilot's specimens detected the presence of over-the-counter pharmaceutical compounds of cold and allergy medicines.
Registration
The aircraft was identified as N525BM.
Summary
No injuries to crew or others were mentioned in the source. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision.