Accident · 2018-01-17
What the record says
- Event date
- 2018-01-17
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Fatal injury
- Aircraft
- BELL UH-1H (N658H)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- SAPPHIRE AVIATION HOLDINGS LLC Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- SAPPHIRE AVIATION LLC
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above mountainous terrain during cruise flight in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
Source: NTSB case CEN18FA078Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Commercial | Helicopter | 57 | Class 2 (2017-12-07) | 6,416 total |
| Pilot-rated passenger pilot flying | Commercial | — | 67 | Class 2 (2017-12-11) | 3,140 total |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.