What happened
On 20 January 2011, a Bell 20CO6L-3 LongRanger helicopter was performing a cruise flight when the pilot encountered a significant reduction in engine power. Unable to maintain flight, the pilot was forced to ditch the aircraft in the sea. The incident was observed by individuals on the shore, though the pilot was unable to transmit an emergency radio call before the impact.
Following the ditching, the pilot remained in the water for over two hours before being rescued. The pilot sustained minor injuries during the event. Due to the conditions, the aircraft remained submerged and could not be recovered from the ocean for approximately one week.
The investigation
TAIC investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the engine failure and the subsequent survival period. The investigation established that the pilot was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. While the accident was witnessed by bystanders, the pilot's ability to communicate his distress via radio was non-existent due to the rapid nature of the power loss.
Findings
While the specific reason for the engine power reduction could not be identified, the investigation highlighted several critical safety lapses. The pilot failed to implement necessary survival precautions for a flight path intended to cross water. Specifically, the pilot was not wearing a life jacket, which is a vital precaution for single-engine operations over water.
Safety action
Although no formal safety recommendations were made, the investigation identified several key lessons for helicopter operations:
- Pilots should utilize flight-following arrangements or file flight plans to ensure timely search operations if a flight becomes overdue.
- For single-engine aircraft flying at low altitudes over water, occupants should wear life jackets rather than merely carrying them, especially when flying beyond the gliding distance of a safe landing site.
- In the event of an impending forced landing, pilots should activate emergency locator transmitters and attempt radio contact as early as possible.
- Pilots frequently operating over water should undergo specialized helicopter underwater escape training.