What happened
On December 19, 2023, an American Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopter, registration N606HD, was involved in a fatal accident near Hammonton, New Jersey. The flight was being operated by US Helicopters Inc for electronic news gathering (ENG) purposes.
The crew departed Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) at approximately 1923 EST to film footage 44 nautical miles away in the Smithville area. After approximately 10 minutes of orbiting the scene to collect video, the crew was cleared by the news station assignment desk to return to PNE.
At approximately 1945, the helicopter climbed to 1,000 feet MSL while heading toward Philadelphia. At 2001, the aircraft drifted right of its course. Radar data showed the helicopter began a gradual descent at 2001:54, passing through 775 feet, 700 feet, and 400 feet, while its ground speed increased from 93 knots to 115 knots. The aircraft impacted the terrain in the Wharton State Forest, resulting in a post-crash fire. The pilot and the videographer were 2 fatal.
The investigation
Investigators located the wreckage in a densely wooded area on December 20, 2023. The airframe was heavily fragmented and much of the helicopter was consumed by fire. Examination of the wreckage, including the engine, transmission, and flight controls, revealed no evidence of a preimpact failure or malfunction that would have prevented normal operation. There was also no evidence of a bird strike.
Analysis of the flight recorder (Appareo Vision 1000) was inconclusive, as the device was not powered on during the accident flight. Toxicological analysis of the pilot's postmortem specimens detected several medications, including metformin, telmisartan, hydrochlorothiazide, carvedilol, and alfuzosin. Notably, the presence of chlorpheniramine, a sedating antihistamine, was also identified.
Findings
- The flight profile, characterized by a gradual descent and increasing speed, was consistent with the pilot potentially becoming incapacitated or falling asleep.
- The pilot had medical histories of prediabetes and high blood pressure.
- While the pilot's blood pressure medications were not typically impairing, the presence of chlorpheniramine indicated a possibility of sedation or psychomotor slowing, which could have increased susceptibility to falling asleep.