What happened
On February 9, 2024, at approximately 2208 PST, an Airbus Helicopters EC 130B4 helicopter, registration N130CZ, crashed in a high mountainous desert area near Halloran Springs, California. The accident resulted in 6 fatal injuries, claiming the lives of the two pilots and four passengers.
The flight was a Part 135 on-demand charter operation managed by Orbic Air, LLC, intended to transport passengers from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU). Earlier that day, during a repositioning flight from Camarillo to Burbank, the pilot reported that the radar altimeter was inoperative. Although a mechanic attempted troubleshooting, the issue was not resolved, and the aircraft proceeded to PSP.
During the scheduled charter leg, the helicopter departed PSP at 2045 under night VFR conditions. While following I-15, the aircraft encountered deteriorating weather, including rain and snow. ADS-B and tracking data indicated that the helicopter began flying at lower altitudes and slower airspeeds near Baker, California, likely due to the encounter with low ceilings and reduced visibility. Shortly before the impact, the aircraft's airspeed and altitude increased, followed by a rapid descent into terrain while in a right turn. Witnesses reported seeing a fireball in the area.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the airframe highly fragmented and the cockpit destroyed. Post-accident examination of the engine, rotor blades, and flight controls showed no evidence of a pre-impact mechanical failure; the engine showed evidence of powered operation at the time of impact.
Maintenance records revealed that the radar altimeter had been subject to several issues recently, including repairs performed just days before the accident. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's aircraft discrepancy log did not contain a record of the inoperative radar altimeter, despite the crew and management being aware of the malfunction.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to continue a VFR flight into IMC led to spatial disorientation and loss of control.
- The pilot likely experienced vestibular illusions, such as the Coriolis or somatogravic illusions, while maneuvering in low visibility.
- The company failed to provide adequate oversight of its safety management processes, specifically regarding the logging of maintenance discrepancies and the accuracy of flight risk assessments.
- The flight risk analysis (FRA) completed by the pilot was not updated to reflect changing weather conditions or the inoperative equipment.
- Management failed to exercise operational control to cancel or modify the flight despite knowledge of the inoperative radar altimeter.