Flight History
A passenger who flew with the accident pilot earlier that day for 1.0 to 1.5 hours reported smelling vodka on the pilot's breath before departure. The passenger asked if the pilot had been drinking; the pilot replied he was "not drunk." During that flight, the engine ran without issue, but the pilot noted the oil was getting hot. Two lights illuminated on the overhead panel—one remained steady, and a red light appeared near the end of the flight. Upon seeing the red light, the pilot immediately proceeded to the helipad and landed.
Accident Sequence
The accident flight departed the helipad at approximately 2042. A witness near the site observed the helicopter circling, then described what she thought was the pilot losing control, with the helicopter spinning around the main rotor axis. She heard the main rotor noise increase, followed by a return to circling. This sequence occurred twice. An individual in a house heard the helicopter and then an impact. Two of the three occupants went outside, saw the helicopter on the roof, and climbed onto the roof to rescue the pilot. One of them later reported smelling alcohol on the pilot's breath.
Post-Accident Findings
The pilot was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Hospital records showed a blood specimen taken approximately 1 hour 40 minutes after the accident contained ethanol at 136 mg/dL (0.136% by weight). A FAA toxicology study of a blood specimen taken at the same time showed ethanol at 105 mg/dL (0.105% by weight), citalopram at 0.017 µg/mL, and zolpidem at 0.433 µg/mL.
Medical Records
The pilot's medical records indicated a complaint of insomnia and depression to his private physician on May 23, 2002. The physical examination included "Psychiatric: normal mood and affect." Impressions were "Insomnia" and "Chronic Depression." The physician provided 20 mg samples of Celexa (citalopram) to take half a tablet daily and prescribed 10 mg Ambien (zolpidem), half to one tablet at bedtime as needed. The records did not show a request for psychiatric consultation, an inquiry about suicidal intent, or questions about alcohol or drug use.
Regulatory Reference
Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.17 states that no person may act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft while having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or more by weight, or while using a drug that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety.
Helicopter Examination
The NTSB did not examine the helicopter at the accident site but examined it after recovery. Flight control continuity was confirmed for collective, cyclic, and tail rotor. Main and tail rotor drive continuity was confirmed. The engine was started and operated for about 17 minutes after removing damaged main rotor blades, using each ignition system and each FADEC unit independently; no discrepancies were noted. The engine, water pump, and both FADEC units were sent to the manufacturer for an engine run and FADEC readout. The engine ran for about 19 minutes under load with no discrepancies. Readout of the FADEC primary engine control unit indicated that during the accident flight (lasting about 48 minutes), the maximum engine coolant temperature was in the green arc (normal range).
Pilot Circumstances
NTSB personnel did not discuss the accident with the pilot because he was fatally injured in an airplane accident the following morning at approximately 0822, about 10 hours 52 minutes after the helicopter accident (or 5 hours 47 minutes after his release from the hospital). The airplane accident is covered in NTSB report MIA02FA104.