# NTSB ATL00LA058: Bell 407, N234BH, Lake Placid, FL, June 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 2000, 00:30 local (04:30 UTC) - Place: Lake Placid, FL - Coordinates: 27.289344, -81.360702 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2893&lon=-81.3607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51035 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL00LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51035/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA058 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to establish/maintain a safe rate of descent during approach to landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's incorrect altimeter (Kollsman) setting, smoke, and dark night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor) - proper descent rate - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - altimeter setting - incorrect, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was circling the helicopter at an indicated altitude of 1,000 ft. msl while performing an aerial survey of wild fires during the night. Visibility in the area was limited due to smoke present from the fires. After circling for 25 minutes, the pilot initiated an approach to a grass landing zone. The passenger was calling out altitudes every 50 ft. while the pilot verified the call outs. Shortly after the passenger called out 450 ft., the helicopter impacted the ground while traveling at a speed of 35 knots. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or component failures with the helicopter. In an interview following the accident, the pilot reported that the altimeter setting was approximately 300 feet off. The remote area in which he was flying was very dark with limited lighting. ## Factual narrative On June 5, 2000, about 0030 eastern daylight time, a Bell 407, N234BH, operated by Ben Hill Griffin Inc., was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during approach to landing near Lake Placid, Florida. The airline transport pilot-in-command and the non-helicopter rated pilot passenger received minor injuries. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial observation flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Avon Park, Florida, at 2320. According to the pilot, he circled an area surrounded by wild fires on the operator's property for approximately 25 minutes. Visibility in the area was limited due to smoke present from the fires. While at an indicated altitude of 1,000 feet above mean sea level (msl), with a ground elevation of 20 feet msl, the pilot initiated an approach to a grass landing zone. The pilot stated that both himself and the passenger made visual contact with the ground at 600 feet; however, he lost visual contact with the ground at 500 feet. The passenger advised the pilot that he maintained contact with the ground and he continued to call out altitudes every 50 feet while the pilot verified the call outs. Shortly after the passenger called out 450 feet, the helicopter impacted the ground while traveling at a speed of approximately 35 knots. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or component failures with the helicopter. In an interview following the accident, the pilot reported that the altimeter setting was approximately 300 feet off. He also stated that the remote area in which he was flying was very dark with limited lighting in the area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N234BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N234BH-2000-10-31), registration cancelled 2000-10-31, S/N 53280 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bell 407 - Registry model: [Bell 407](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-407) (registry code 1182206) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 53280 - Airframe hours: 382 - Engines: Allison 250-C47C 650 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ben Hill Griffin Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 2000, 24 hours before - Departed: AVO, AVON PARK, FL - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 13,930 total, 390 in this make and model, 13,009 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VRB, 72 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000605006559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000605006559A), Jun 5, 2000: Bell 407, Lake Placid, FL, No damage. (-23) The helicopter was making am approach to a large pature in a rural area on a dark, moonless night; haze and smoke in the vicinity exacerbated the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.