Guimbal CABRI accident near Kent Island, MD
On May 4, 2019, a Guimbal CABRI (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Kent Island, MD. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- May 4, 2019
- Place
- Kent Island, MD
- Aircraft
- Guimbal CABRI · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.816°N, 76.383°W
- NTSB ID
- 20190504X45333
Official records · ERA19FA163
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn May 4, 2019, about 1211 eastern daylight time, a Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter, N572MD, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Kent Island, Maryland. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a family member of the passenger, the flight was planned so that the passenger could take photographs of that family member's fishing trip in the Chesapeake Bay. The passenger texted the family member at 0829 stating "looks like we are going to be flying. Where are you guys fishing? Not sure how well my cell works when up." The family member responded with the location at 0841. Then, at 1036 the passenger stated "OK, no problem. The closer you stayed at Poplar Island the better chance we might have [of] finding you with this low ceiling there's flight restrictions." The pilot called flight services at 1102 to file a special flight rules area (SFRA) flight plan for a local flight originating from Tipton Airport (FME), Fort Meade, Maryland. During the phone call, the flight briefer noted that instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed for the intended flight and that he could not recommend a visual flight rules flight. Furthermore, he stated that AIRMET Sierra was issued for instrument flight rule (IFR) conditions and was currently active and ending between 1700 and 2000. The briefer asked the pilot if he needed a standard weather briefing and the pilot responded that he did not need any other information. At 1145, the passenger texte
Probable cause
The noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent descent into the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight at a low altitude without sufficient cues to aid in the perception of attitude and altitude.
More accidents in MD
- Aerospatiale SA365N-1 D, Sep 28, 2008
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- Beech B24R, Apr 23, 1994
- Piper PA-28R-201T, Jul 31, 1989
Browse: Maryland
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
