Accident Overview
A commercial pilot was ferrying a helicopter with two passengers/friends under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The helicopter collided with trees and terrain in a wooded area at night, in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Sequence of Events
Witnesses reported that the helicopter landed near a hotel and truck stop. The pilot and passengers inquired about renting rooms but elected not to do so. Instead, they walked to the truck stop and had a meal. After the meal, the helicopter was observed departing to the south. The helicopter did not arrive at its intended destination, prompting a search.
A witness driving on a nearby freeway, approximately 6 miles from the truck stop, contacted the local sheriff's office three days after the accident. He reported seeing an explosion south of the freeway on the night of the accident.
Wreckage and Examination
Searchers located the helicopter in thick woods, among trees about 60 feet tall. The wreckage was extensively fragmented, consistent with a high-speed impact with the trees. An on-site examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies.
Weather and Pilot Qualifications
Weather in the vicinity at the time of the accident was reported as 300-foot overcast, visibility 1.75 miles in mist, with thunderstorms nearby. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating, and the helicopter was not equipped with instrumentation for flight into IMC.
Toxicology Results
Toxicological samples from the pilot disclosed extremely high levels of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a rarely prescribed drug and its use is not approved for pilots. It is highly addictive and most widely used as an illegal recreational drug. The amount of methamphetamine in the pilot's system was approximately 50 times higher than expected from a single dose of a prescription drug. Use of methamphetamine can result in marked personality changes, psychosis, irrational and impulsive behavior, irritability, hyperactivity, and other symptoms.