Flight History
On May 4, 2019, at approximately 1211 eastern daylight time, a Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter, registration N572MD, was destroyed when it impacted the Chesapeake Bay near Kent Island, Maryland. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The purpose of the flight was for the passenger to take photographs of a family member's fishing trip in the Chesapeake Bay. Text messages between the passenger and the family member indicated that the flight was planned despite low ceilings and flight restrictions. At 1036, the passenger texted that the low ceiling imposed flight restrictions. The pilot contacted flight services at 1102 to file a special flight rules area flight plan for a local flight from Tipton Airport (FME) in Fort Meade, Maryland. The briefer noted that instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and could not recommend a visual flight rules flight. An AIRMET Sierra for IFR conditions was active. The pilot declined a standard weather briefing.
At 1145, the passenger texted that the helicopter was en route. Radar data showed the helicopter flew over Kent Island, made turns over the southern tip, then flew about 2 miles south of the island. The helicopter maneuvered at about 175 feet above the water for the final 10 minutes. Radar contact was lost at 1211. Witnesses reported the helicopter flying low in dense fog.
Pilot Information
The pilot did not hold an instrument rating and had no recorded instrument flight time or simulated instrument flight time.
Aircraft Information
The helicopter was a Guimbal Cabri G2. A placard on the instrument panel stated: "This rotorcraft is approved for night and day VFR operation." The helicopter's flight manual limited operations to day and night VFR only.
Weather Conditions
At 1045, the National Weather Service issued an update for AIRMET Sierra, indicating IFR conditions with ceilings below 1,000 feet, visibility below 3 statute miles, precipitation, mist, and fog. A photograph taken by the passenger during the flight showed visibility over the water was less than 3 miles; another photograph made it difficult to differentiate water and sky.
Wreckage Examination
The helicopter impacted the Chesapeake Bay about 1.5 miles from Kent Island's shoreline and was recovered from a depth of about 63 feet. All major components were recovered. Flight control continuity was confirmed through multiple overstress fractures. The windscreen, doors, and forward fuselage were fragmented. Both seats were impact-separated forward but remained attached by seatbelts. Main rotor blades showed impact damage. The fenestron had chordwise scratching and bent vanes. The engine had crankshaft continuity, compression on cylinders, and water in the carburetor bowl. The carburetor heat door was closed. No pre-impact anomalies were identified in the engine or fuel system.
Medical Examination
An autopsy of the pilot determined the cause of death as multiple injuries. Toxicology testing was negative for ethanol and other drugs.