Final Report S76 (N72EX) NW of LA USA, 26 January 2020

Final Report S76 (N72EX) NW of LA USA, 26 January 2020

Publication info
Author
NTSB USA
Category
Human Factors Loss of Control Weather
Date of publication
09/02/2021

On 26 January 2020, a Sikorsky S76B on a night VFR passenger flight was observed to emerge from low cloud shortly after ATC had lost contact with it following a report that it was climbing to 4000 feet. It had then almost immediately crashed into terrain, destroying the aircraft and killing all its occupants. The Investigation found that the helicopter had been serviceable and that the pilot had lost control after intentionally continuing into IMC and then attempting to climb which resulted in spatial disorientation. The aircraft operator’s inadequate risk management was found to have contributed to the accident outcome.

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