# Accident 20220318020749A: Md Helicopters Inc 369HM, West Palm Beach, FL, March 18, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 18, 2022, 16:32 local time
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 26.8537° N, 80.3000° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8537&lon=-80.3000&mi=10
- Aircraft: N650AG, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N650AG-2022-09-03) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: MD Helicopters 369HM (registry code 3030011, https://openairdocs.org/model/md-helicopters-369hm) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20 (registry code 54178, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MD HELICOPTERS INC 369HM
- Reported engine: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C20
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,459 total, 323 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA22FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA160) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220318020749A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

FINAL SUMMARY

DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THE AIRMAN HAD LIMITED HELICOPTER PILOT IN COMMAND EXPERIENCE

AND ONLY SHOWED 20.9 HOURS OF SOLO TIME IN N650AG. THE AIRMAN WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO

CARRY PASSENGERS IN HIS HELICOPTER, AS HE WAS NOT RATED IN CATEGORY AND CLASS FOR ROTORCRAFT

HELICOPTERS. THE AIRMAN DID HAVE A SOLO ENDORSEMENT TO OPERATE THE HELICOPTER WITHOUT PASSENGERS. THIS INSPECTOR'S OPINION IS THAT A COMBINATION OF LOW-LEVEL FLYING, WELL BELOW

100 FEET AGL, HIGH AIRSPEEDS EXCEEDING 100KNOTS, AND LIMITED HELICOPTER EXPERIENCE, ULTIMATELY THAT LED TO THE HELICOPTER WIRE STRIKE INDUCED BY PILOT ERROR LED TO THE DEMISE OF THE

PILOT AND PASSENGER. THIS IS DESPITE FLYING OVER THE SAME POWERLINES, 7 MINUTES EARLIER, AT AN ALTITUDE OF 400 FEET AGL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA22FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA160), Mar 18, 2022: MD Helicopters 369 (N650AG), Loxahatchee, FL, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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