1 fatal · MCDONNELL DOUGLAS 500N · 2022-02-20 · Newport Beach, CA, USA
Event
NTSB number
WPR22FA101
Event ID
20220220104671
Type
Accident
Date
2022-02-20
Location
Newport Beach, CA, USA
Coordinates
33.610368, -117.92438
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
1
Serious
0
Minor
1
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS
Model
500N
Registration
N521HB
FAR Part
PUBU
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
NITE
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The helicopter’s encounter with unanticipated right yaw during a low-altitude, low-airspeed, tight-radius orbit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction during the orbit, which resulted in the loss of control, his fatigue due to his early wake time and time since awakening, and the lack of external cues that hindered his ability to perform a recovery.