Night EMS Helicopter Accident in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (N593AE)

Flight Operations and Weather Assessment An emergency medical service (EMS) helicopter was dispatched at night to retrieve a patient from a hospital. The pilot reported that after receiving dispatch orders, he went outside to assess the weather, which he described as being a “little hazy.” He then obtained the local weather radar depiction and surface weather conditions and determined that the weather at both the departure and destination airports was suitable for visual flight rules (VFR) operations. The pilot did not listen to the airport’s automated weather observing system (AWOS) broadcast before departure. ## Accident Sequence The helicopter departed and almost immediately entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The pilot elected to terminate the flight and began a right turn back toward the departure airport. He stated that he had difficulty maintaining level flight and felt the helicopter was climbing slightly during the turn. He believed the attitude indicator was giving a false indication because it was not moving and was “cocked off center about 30 degrees.” The pilot verified that the circuit breaker for the attitude indicator was not tripped. He saw some ground lighting to the left of the helicopter and started a left turn toward the lights. The pilot remembered seeing two houses before impact and attempted to steer the helicopter between them. Global positioning system (GPS) data showed the helicopter departing to the north, then making a climbing right turn, followed by a climbing left turn. The helicopter’s maximum recorded altitude during the left turn was about 1,035 feet above ground level (AGL). ## Impact and Damage The helicopter impacted two pine trees, utility lines, a residential structure, a tree, and a garage before coming to a stop. The helicopter traveled about 325 feet from the initial contact with the two pine trees to its final position. ## Weather Conditions Local weather conditions were continually broadcast and accessible using a telephone or radio. About one hour before the accident, the airport’s AWOS indicated that the sky was overcast at 400 feet AGL and the surface visibility was 3 statute miles with mist. About two minutes after the accident, the airport’s AWOS indicated that the sky was overcast at 400 feet AGL and the ground visibility was 2 1/2 statute miles. During the accident flight, the helicopter was operating in IMC. ## Pilot Qualifications and Aircraft Certification The pilot held an instrument rating, but the accident helicopter was not certified for flight in IMC. According to company documentation, the pilot had logged 26 hours of instrument experience since being hired in 1989. He had flown 13 hours during the prior 90 days, none of which were in IMC. ## Equipment Findings The attitude indicator was bench-tested and no discrepancies were noted with its operation.