What happened
On 5 January 2001, a Bell 2-06B, registration G-OBAY, was conducting a private flight from Chorley, Lancashire, to Lake Windermere. The mission involved picking up the aircraft owner from a residence located near the lake shore. At the time of the flight, weather conditions were characterized by calm winds and good visibility, with temperatures near freezing.
The pilot intended to land in an open-ended walled garden on the eastern side of the lake. Due to the geography of the site, the approach required a descending left turn. As the aircraft performed this maneuver, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of depth perception. This disorientation was compounded by the pilot's attention being diverted by the need to adjust an external landing light. Consequently, the pilot failed to monitor the aircraft's rate of descent. Approximately 700 metres from the shoreline, the helicopter struck the surface of the lake in a flat and level attitude.
Following the impact, the aircraft sank. The pilot, who was wearing a four-point harness, managed to exit through the left-side door. Due to the cold water temperatures, which ranged between +3°C and +5°C, the pilot spent approximately 45 minutes swimming to the shore. He was treated for mild hypothermia at a hospital following the incident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the descent and the environmental factors present at the time of the accident. The investigation focused on the pilot's visual perception during the approach and the impact of secondary tasks on flight monitoring. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair.