SERS · SIKORSKY 269C · 2013-07-03 · Burnham, ME, USA
Event
NTSB number
ERA13LA314
Event ID
20130704X22325
Type
Accident
Date
2013-07-03
Location
Burnham, ME, USA
Coordinates
44.672779, -69.408058
Injuries
Highest injury
SERS
Fatal
0
Serious
1
Minor
1
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
SIKORSKY
Model
269C
Registration
N888ZW
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain yaw control while operating out of ground effect at a low airspeed, which resulted in the loss of tail rotor effectiveness, an uncontrolled descent, and an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to recognize that the low-altitude maneuvering during the aerial observation flight could lead to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.