Background
The pilot, a commercial helicopter instructor, had come to the United States approximately four years earlier to learn to fly helicopters. On the evening of the accident, he had celebrated his twenty-first birthday and watched a football game. Distraught over personal matters, he left the party and drove from Helena, Montana, to Butte, Montana.
Event
After arriving at the helicopter operation where he was employed, the pilot secured a helicopter and departed on an unauthorized night flight to Helena. Upon arrival in Helena, while airborne, the pilot used a telephone to call the residence he had previously left and spoke with friends. During the call, he indicated that he was flying, losing control of the aircraft, and running out of fuel. He also stated that he was going to commit suicide, saying he "could not go on like this any longer." However, a review of the taped conversation by local law enforcement investigators failed to corroborate that the pilot ever said he was losing control or running out of fuel.
Investigation
Post-accident observations by Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspectors indicated that the aircraft had been consumed by fire. No anomalies with the helicopter were noted that would have precluded normal operations. Law enforcement personnel who searched the pilot's apartment located a three-page note revealing his intention to commit suicide. The pilot had consumed alcohol in the hours before the accident, and two twelve-ounce bottles of beer were recovered at the accident site. The toxicology report revealed a high alcohol level in the pilot's system, and the autopsy report indicated the manner of death as "suicide."
Conclusion
The pilot died in the accident. No probable cause was determined by the investigation.