What happened
A turbine powered helicopter was conducting a 29 nautical mile night flight over a city when the accident occurred. Two law enforcement officers positioned approximately two blocks northeast of the crash site initially observed the aircraft flying at a very low altitude while traveling northbound. After moving to a nearby parking lot, the officers and a third colleague heard the helicopter pass overhead in a southwest direction.
Due to poor visibility, the officers were initially unable to locate the aircraft. When the helicopter became visible, it was traveling west and banked to the right. The aircraft then entered a downward flight path, leading to a large fireball. The helicopter struck wires, a power pole, and an above-ground gas meter. The impact caused an electrical transformer to explode, and the resulting fire consumed the aircraft.
At the time of departure, the destination airport was reporting IFR weather conditions. Witnesses estimated the overcast ceiling at the time of the accident was between 300 and 400 feet. There was no record of the pilot obtaining a preflight weather briefing.
The investigation
An examination of the engine and airframe revealed no pre-impact anomalies.