# NTSB CHI95LA327: Bell 206L, N2777W, Ware, IL, September 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 1995, 04:20 local (09:20 UTC) - Place: Ware, IL - Coordinates: 37.45026, -89.259475 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4503&lon=-89.2595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10036 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10036/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA327 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after taking off, the emergency medical service helicopter began to fly through 'small scuddy clouds.' The pilot decided to abort the flight. He then initiated a left turn and encountered IMC conditions. The pilot stated that he tried to transition to instruments, but he was unable to make the transition before he lost control of the helicopter. The pilot was unable to regain control prior to ground impact. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 1995, at 0420 central daylight time (cdt), a Bell 206L, N2777W, operated by St. Louis Helicopter Airways, Inc. of Chesterfield, Missouri, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground after inadvertently entering instrument meteorological conditions. The 14 CFR Part 91 emergency medical service flight originated from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at 0406 cdt and was en route to assist in a automobile accident in Cobden, Illinois. The pilot and medic reported minor injuries, and the nurse on board reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of departure. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported that he had checked the weather with Cape Girardeau AWOS prior to departing. AWOS reported a ceiling of 1,900 AGL and a visibility of 4 miles. The pilot stated that although the weather was marginal, he decided to go since the flight's destination was only 25 miles across the river. A computed estimated time en route was 12 minutes. The pilot stated that after takeoff, the weather looked alright, so he continued with the flight. The pilot reported that when the helicopter began to fly through some "small scuddy clouds", he decided to abort the flight. He then initiated a left turn and encountered IMC conditions. The pilot stated that he tried to transition to instruments, but was unable to make the transition before he lost control of the helicopter. "Attempted to regain control of the aircraft and did not see the ground until just before impact," the pilot stated. The helicopter impacted the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2777W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2777W-1996-08-07), registration cancelled 1996-08-07, S/N 45441 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206L - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 45441 - Airframe hours: 9424 - Engines: ALLISON 250-C28B 435 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: St. Louis Helicopter Airways - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, September 7, 1995, 9 hours before - Departed: MU10, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO - Destination: NONE, COBBEN, IL - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 4,290 total, 3,131 in this make and model, 4,005 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast - Observed at: CGI, 17 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 19950920032669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950920032669A), Sep 20, 1995: Bell 206L, Ware, IL, Substantial damage. Encountered weather en route to accident scene. Began 180 to return VFR. Lost control. Unable timely change to IFR. (-23) on September 20, 1995 at… 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.