What happened
On 1 June 2010, a Robinson R44 Raven, registration G-LWAY, was conducting a private flight near Arrochar, Scotland. The pilot was navigating toward a private site located adjacent to the water. As the helicopter approached the destination at an altitude of approximately 50 ft, the pilot's attention was drawn to an object in the water.
During this period of distraction, the aircraft struck the surface of Loch Long at an airspeed of roughly 60 kt, about 100 m from the shoreline. The impact caused the helicopter to tumble forward and come to rest in an inverted position. The cockpit became submerged, and the aircraft began to sink. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, managed to exit the aircraft and swim to the shore. He sustained no injuries during the event.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances leading to the impact and the pilot's state during the flight. The pilot reported that while the 25-minute flight required significant concentration, he had experienced a moment of relaxation once his destination became visible. This relaxation, combined with the sight of an object in the water, contributed to the loss of situational awareness.
Upon the aircraft's inversion, the pilot experienced disorientation. The visibility beneath the water was severely obscured by a mixture of fuel and salt water. Furthermore, the pilot encountered difficulty in locating the release mechanism for his three-point harness while submerged.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair.
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's distraction by an object in the water during the final stages of the approach.
- A momentary lapse in concentration, following a period of high mental workload, made the pilot more susceptible to external distractions.