What happened
On July 4, 2019, an Agusta AW1HD helicopter, registration N32CC, crashed into the water near Big Grand Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. The flight was being operated as a personal flight under Part 91 regulations. The crew was transporting five passengers from the Bahamas to the United States for medical treatment.
The flight crew, consisting of a pilot-in-command (PIC) and a second-in-command (SIC), departed from a private helipad at Big Grand Cay at approximately 0152. The departure occurred during dark night conditions with no visible moon or horizon.
During the initial climb, the helicopter's flight data recorder showed the aircraft began a descent while airspeed increased. The enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) issued multiple terrain warnings. The pilot engaged the autopilot in altitude acquire (ALTA) mode, but the aircraft continued to descend. During a subsequent climb, the aircraft entered a second descent. The crew failed to coordinate or troubleshoot the descent, and the helicopter impacted the water at high speed in a nose-down, left-bank attitude, resulting in 7 fatal injuries.