2008 Lake of the Ozarks Helicopter Accident (N686F)

Accident Overview and Flight History On May 25, 2008, at 1921 central daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company MD 500E/369E helicopter, registration N686F, impacted the water while attempting to land at a private helipad at Lake of the Ozarks, Sunrise Beach, Missouri. The aircraft was operated by a commercial pilot and was conducting a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The local flight departed at 1917 from the pilot's residence, proceeded across the north ridge of the lake, and then reversed course to return. The pilot reported that during the approach for landing, he initiated a turn towards the east and, within a few seconds at an altitude of approximately 35 feet, the helicopter began to spin rapidly to the right. The pilot applied full opposite direction anti-torque pedal and a slight reduction in collective, but the rotation increased and became more violent before the helicopter impacted the water and sank. No warning lights or sounds were reported prior to the spinning. Witness statements indicated that the helicopter approached the landing zone from the north, made several turns, and then rotated around at a very high speed before impacting the water. The helicopter came to rest on its left side in 35 to 40 feet of water and was recovered on May 26, 2008.