2 fatal · CESSNA 172H · 2010-12-31 · Weyers Cave, VA, USA
Event
NTSB number
ERA11FA101
Event ID
20110102X35752
Type
Accident
Date
2010-12-31
Location
Weyers Cave, VA, USA
Coordinates
38.27222, -78.889999
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
3
Total aboard
5
Aircraft
Make
CESSNA
Model
172H
Registration
N2876L
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept, which made it difficult for the helicopter pilot to see the airplane before the collision. Contributing to the accident was the airplane pilot’s non-standard entry to the airport traffic pattern, which, contrary to published Federal Aviation Administration guidance, was conducted 500 feet below the airport's published traffic pattern altitude and in a direction that conflicted with the established flow of traffic.