Accident Summary
On August 24, 2012, at about 2230 eastern daylight time, a Bell 407 helicopter, registration N407N, collided with South Holston Lake during a night departure from a river bank in Abingdon, Virginia. The flight was a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91, operated by K-VA-T&W-L Aviation LLC. Visual night meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the airline transport pilot was fatally injured.
Witness Account
A witness boating on the lake observed the helicopter land and passengers exit. During the departure, the witness noted the landing light was not illuminated. The helicopter traveled about 150 yards over the lake before the skids began spraying water, then nosed over and splashed loudly. The witness approached and found the helicopter floating upside down with skids upright about 2 feet above water; the tail boom had separated and was floating away. No occupants were seen.
Pilot Information
The 64-year-old pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and rotorcraft-helicopter, and a second-class medical certificate with corrective lenses. According to FAA records, he reported 26,000 flight hours. His logbook was not recovered. The pilot had conducted 10 passenger flights earlier that day between Bristol Speedway and a private residence near the lake, with hot fueling at the landing site. His wife stated he was well rested and in good health.
Aircraft Information
The Bell 407, serial number 53077, was manufactured in 1996. It was powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C47B turbo-shaft engine. An annual inspection was completed on March 20, 2012, at an airframe total time of 2,339.1 hours. The Hobbs meter showed 2,427.8 hours; the ECU recorded 2,771.06 engine hours.
Site and Weather
The intended landing site was a turf grass backyard of the helicopter owner, elevated about 30 feet above the lake, unlit and not a dedicated helipad but frequently used. The weather at 2235 from Virginia Highlands Airport (VJI) was wind 100° at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet. Night VFR conditions prevailed; moon was a waxing crescent with 51% illumination, set before the flight.
Wreckage and Impact
The fuselage was recovered about 100 yards from the estimated impact point. The engine was torn from the fuselage and not located. The cockpit was breached; seat pans broken; landing light switch in "both" position but circuit breaker pulled. Flight controls were intact. Main rotor blades fractured consistent with sudden stoppage. Tail boom fractured from main rotor strike. The engine bay showed main rotor contact; the throttle was found in full-open position. The ECU data recorded a torque exceedance of 116% just before destruction; electrical power was lost immediately after.
Medical and Toxicological
An autopsy was performed; toxicology tests for drugs and alcohol were negative.
Probable Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water during a night departure, which resulted in a water encounter and the subsequent breakup of the helicopter. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions and the pilot's loss of situational awareness due to spatial disorientation.