Background
The helicopter was on a repositioning flight intended to pick up a patient at another hospital. Before departure, the pilot checked the weather conditions. At the time of departure, the ceiling was reported at 1,100 feet and visibility at 7 miles.
Flight Details
Shortly after departure, the weather began to deteriorate. The helicopter encountered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The flight paramedic noted that the weather deteriorated rapidly during the flight and requested multiple times that the pilot abort the mission.
Accident Sequence
Prior to reversing direction, the pilot reduced speed and initiated a descent. However, the pilot was not aware of the rate of descent and was unable to arrest it before the helicopter struck the terrain. The helicopter subsequently landed hard and came to rest upright on a roadway.
Probable Cause
The investigation stated that the pilot was unaware of the descent rate and was unable to slow the descent prior to impacting the terrain.