Md Helicopters Inc 369 accident near Loxahatchee, FL
On March 18, 2022, a Md Helicopters Inc 369 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Loxahatchee, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 18, 2022
- Place
- Loxahatchee, FL
- Aircraft
- Md Helicopters Inc 369 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 26.854°N, 80.300°W
- NTSB ID
- 20220319104799
Official records · ERA22FA160
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 18, 2022, at 1432 eastern daylight time, an MD Helicopters 369HM, N650AG, was destroyed after it impacted power lines near Loxahatchee, Florida. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration, the helicopter departed Antiquers Aerodrome (FD08), Delray Beach, Florida, about 1359 and flew north over swampy, state land. The data showed the helicopter flying at altitudes from 25 to 75 ft above ground level (agl), and at speeds between 83 to 100 knots, before colliding with high-voltage power lines. The power lines were measured at 80 ft agl. The data ended at 1432. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane single-engine sea, and instrument airplane. He did not possess a rotorcraft-helicopter rating at the time of the accident. He had a logbook endorsement for solo student flight in helicopters with the prohibition of carrying passengers. The commercial pilot was issued a FAA second-class medical certificate on October 28, 2021. He reported 1,200 hours of total flight experience at that time. The pilot-rated passenger held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land and an instrument rating. The pilot-rated passenger did not have any helicopter experience. WRECKAGE
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
More accidents in FL
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Browse: Florida · Md 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.
