- Date
- November 2, 1989, 21:30 local (Nov 3, 1989, 02:30 UTC)
- Place
- Marathon, FL
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N23576Sikorsky SK-70
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report September 5, 1991
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 8152
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to maintain the proper altitude over the ocean water. Factors related to the accident were: continued operation of the helicopter with a known partial deficiency of the radio altimeter/warning system, darkness, the pilot's lack of visual perception, failure of the copilot to adequately monitor the helicopter's altitude above the water, and insufficient management standards to identify inordinate flight risks.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The helicopter was on a night law enforcement mission ovr the ocean nr Marathon, FL. After tkof, the PIC noted the radaraltimeter needle, which activated the low alt warning, was not functional, though the digital display & coplt's radar altimeter were operating normally. After entering the mission area, the PIC bgn random mnvrs with the alt varying btn 200 & 300 ft abv the water. There was an estd 1000 ft ovc sky cond with no visible hrzn. Both plts were wearing night vision goggles. The coplt operated the search light & was to monitor the insts. While mnvrg to keep a boat in view, the helicopter bgn dscndg & contacted the water. Immediately, the cabin filled with water. All of the occupants egressed successfully fm the helicopter, except the coplt, who presumably drowned. The PIC & 2 of the otr crewmembers were not injured; the remaining 2 rcvd minor injuries. An agency opns handbook discussed hazards/incidents, but no mission risk assessment program was in place for management to adequately identify the level of risk associated with the opn.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N23576
- Reported as
- Sikorsky SK-70
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 81-23576
- Airframe hours
- 2,016
- Engine
- GE T700-GE-700, 1,560 horsepower, turbo shaft
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Public aircraft · Part 91
- Registered owner
- U.S. States Customs Service
- Last inspection
- Continuous airworthiness · September 24, 1989 · 2 hours before
- Departed
- HST · Homestead Afb, FL
- Destination
- HST
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 46
- Certificate
- Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane, Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Right
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 4,758 total · 490 in this make and model · 4,503 as pilot in command · 73 in the last 90 days · 31 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- Variable at 9 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg