Bell 206L-1 accident near New Smyrna Bch., FL
On February 16, 2002, a Bell 206L-1 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near New Smyrna Bch., FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 16, 2002
- Place
- New Smyrna Bch., FL
- Aircraft
- Bell 206L-1 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 28.990°N, 80.990°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020220X00233
Official records · ATL02FA048
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 16, 2002, at 0615 eastern standard time, a Bell 206L-1 helicopter, N23PJ, collided with trees while maneuvering for a landing at the Spruce Creek Airport near New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The on-demand air taxi flight was registered to and operated by Universal Air Service under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 135. The pilot had filed a company visual flight plan and had established flight following with Universal Air Service flight operation. Instrument flight conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot and his revenue passenger received fatal injuries. The flight departed Orlando, Florida, at 0550 on February 16, 2002. According to the operator, the flight was scheduled for a 0600 departure from Orlando, Florida, with a passenger, and another passenger pick-up at Spruce Creek Airport. Universal Air Service personnel stated the pilot completed preflight planning, which included receiving a weather briefing from St. Petersburg Flight Service Station. Since the local air traffic control tower was not operational until 0600, the pilot reported his departure to Universal Air Service operation personnel. When the helicopter failed to arrive at the destination airport, a waitng passenger became concerned, alerted local authorities, and a search for the helicopter was initiated. The downed helicopter was located several hours later in a swampy area approximately 6 miles southeast of Spruce Creek Airport. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held commercial ratings for multi-engine land, single-engine land, glider, rotorcraft,
Probable cause
The pilot continued visual flight into instrument conditions that resulted in the in-flight collision with trees. Factor were the pilot's alcohol impaired condition, and low cloud conditions.
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Browse: Florida · Bell 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.
