# NTSB ERA15LA337: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, N16056, New Smyrna Beach, FL, September 3, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2015, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: New Smyrna Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.083889, -81.766944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0839&lon=-81.7669&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO, MD Helicopters, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91922 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15LA337 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91922/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91922 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA337 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3027369), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had just finished spraying one field and was making a 270-degree right turn to line up with a second field. During the turn, the pilot glanced over his left shoulder to select a visual reference point upon which to line up the helicopter after completing the turn. The pilot looked forward again, and the trees lining the fields were immediately in front of him. He attempted to climb the helicopter by applying power but was unable to avoid the trees. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction or abnormality with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2015, about 1520 eastern daylight time, a MD-369E Helicopter, N16056, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and the ground while conducting a low altitude aerial application flight near New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the public use aerial application flight, that departed from the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport (EVB) bout 1500 eastern daylight time. The helicopter was operated by the East Volusia Mosquito District. The pilot reported that he had just finished spraying one field and was planning on making a 270 degree turn to the right to line up with the second field that was adjacent to the first field. During the turn, the pilot glanced over his left shoulder to select a visual reference point to line up on, as he completed his turn. As the pilot looked forward, the trees that were lining the fields were immediately in front of him. He added power in an attempt to ascend, but was unable to avoid the trees. The pilot further reported that after impacting the ground the helicopter rolled to the left, coming to rest on the left side. He further reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. The commercial pilot and flight instructor had 2,876 total hours flight experience and 309 total hours of flight experience in the accident helicopter make and model helicopter. His most recent flight review was on June 19, 2015. His second-class medical exam was on March 17, 2015, without limitations or waivers. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the helicopter came to rest along a tree line, comprised of trees approximately 50 to 70 feet in height. The fuselage exhibited impact crush damage and the tail boom and tail rotor were separated, but co-located with the main wreckage. One main rotor blade was impact-separated and was located about 250 feet from the main wreckage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16056](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16056-2018-03-22), registration cancelled 2018-03-22, S/N 0353E, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 369E - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-helicopter-369e) (registry code 3027369) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0353E - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 4767.8 - Engines: Rolls Royce 250CZ0B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Public use - Operator: East Volusia Mosquito Control District - Registered owner: East Volusia Mosquito Control District - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 2015 - Departed: EVB, New Smyrna Beach, FL - Destination: EVB, New Smyrna Beach, FL - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: serious; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 19, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,875.6 total, 308.7 in this make and model, 2,479.6 as pilot in command, 159.8 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: VVG, 13 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 20150903017269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150903017269A), Sep 3, 2015: Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, New Smyrna, FL, Substantial damage. While spraying mosquito insecticide, a MD-369E crash landed after impacting 50-70 ft trees. The pilot was looking for next field to spray while in a level… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91922. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433273&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433275&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Overlay of Helicopter Route on Google Earth (item 4, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Overlay%20of%20Helicopter%20Route%20on%20Google%20Earth-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 5, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433277&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF 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.