Accident · 2023-10-08
What the record says
- Event date
- 2023-10-08
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Fatal injury
- Aircraft
- BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 407 (N802JR)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- JOE BRIGHAM INC Matched by aircraft (N-number)
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control during the initial climb in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a steep banking descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience, improper cockpit lighting settings, and his failure to use the helicopter’s stability augmentation system before and during the unusual attitude.
Source: NTSB case ERA24FA003Flight 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 | Airplane / Helicopter | 73 | Class 2 (2022-10-19) | 13,780 total · 1,377 in this make/model · 13,699 as PIC |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.