3 fatal · Eurocopter France AS350B2 · 2008-02-06 · S. Padre Island, TX, USA
Event
NTSB number
DFW08FA062
Event ID
20080222X00227
Type
Accident
Date
2008-02-06
Location
S. Padre Island, TX, USA
Coordinates
26.138889, -97.206947
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
3
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
3
Aircraft
Make
Eurocopter France
Model
AS350B2
Registration
N911VA
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
NDRK
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the helicopter impacting the water. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, the low ceiling, dark night conditions, and the pilot's lack of recent instrument flying experience.