Agusta A109A II accident near Winslow, WA
On September 11, 1995, an Agusta A109A II (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Winslow, WA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 11, 1995
- Place
- Winslow, WA
- Aircraft
- Agusta A109A II · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 47.639°N, 122.531°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04591
Official records · SEA95FA214
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- ATC Statements: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 11, 1995, at 0530 Pacific daylight time, an Agusta A109A II, N1WC, registered to Signet Leasing and operated by Hospital Air Transport as a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight, collided with the water approximately one mile off the shoreline of Bainbridge Island, near Winslow, Washington. Visual and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The helicopter sank in approximately 750 feet of water and was destroyed. The commercial pilot and two flight nurses were fatally injured. The helicopter had departed from Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, at 0526, and was en route to pick up a woman in labor on Bainbridge Island to transport her to a hospital in Seattle. At approximately 0500, an individual from the Bainbridge Fire Department reported that he heard over his radio that the Bainbridge Island Fire Department was dispatched to a woman in labor. Approximately 10 minutes later, he heard a call go out to Airlift Northwest to check on their availability. At 0526, the air traffic controller, on duty at Boeing tower, reported that the pilot notified the tower that he (the pilot) was at "pad two" for departure westbound. The controller cleared the pilot for takeoff to the west. The controller reported that he notified the pilot that the wind was from 40 degrees at six knots, and the altimeter was 30.15" Hg. The controller stated that the takeoff appeared normal and that there was no further contact with Boeing tower. At 0540, the dispatcher from Airlift Northwest called the towe
Probable cause
the pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance above the surface of water, while flying over calm water conditions at night. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, glassy (calm) water conditions, and the lack of visual cues for visual perception of altitude.
More accidents in WA
- Dehavilland DHC-3, Sep 4, 2022
- Cessna 208B, Oct 8, 2007
- Cessna 172P, Dec 7, 1991
- Piper PA-32-260, Jul 29, 2001
- Beech A60, Nov 21, 1992
Browse: Washington · Agusta aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
