From AAIU (Belgium) - 2007-20/ Final/ N678LW
Pilot’s awareness.
The decision of the pilot to fly home that day, and to continue flying when the meteorological conditions worsened was undoubtedly questionable.
Several other seasoned helicopter pilots decided not to fly that day, owing to the meteorological conditions.
The pilot was familiar with the route, since he used it several times. He was aware of the presence of the High Voltage line he had to cross to get to Kortrijk.
The helicopter was seen by a witness on the ground in Grimbergen, flying in-and-out of clouds.
The helicopter was maintaining 500 ft while there were scattered clouds at 300 ft (= scud running !!). This would have indicated the pilot that the meteorological conditions were locally beyond the conditions of “special VFR”.
The decision of the pilot to continue flying was most probably due to the phenomenon of “
get home-itis” known to all pilots and car drivers.
3. Conclusions.
3.1. Findings
- The pilot had a valid Pilot licence, and medical fitness cerrtificate.
- The helicopter was airworthy.
- The airplane was loaded within its limits for weight and balance.
- There was no sign of in-flight structural failure, or engine failure prior to the crash.
3.2. Cause and contributing factors.
The loss of control in flight, initiated by an evasive maneuver was most probably induced by the pilot, surprised by the close vicinity of the high voltage line.
The helicopter went into the cloud layer,
the pilot lost situational awareness, and when recovering, the helicopter was diving to the ground at an angle of 50-60 degrees and a speed of 50-60 knots.
The contributing factors were:
- meteorological conditions.
- pilot had a low experience on this helicopter; in particular in this type of meteorological conditions.
-
get home-itis.
Full AAIU (Belgium) - 2007-20/ Final/ N678LW report can be downloaded
H E R E (PDF)
"Have fun, Fly safe, don't forget to lower the gear and stay out of trees/powerlines
"
