59°
A Virginia pilot was killed when his helicopter slammed into a residential yard in Danville after taking off in heavy fog on Saturday, March 15, federal officials said.
The crash happened around 3 p.m., according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which provided a timeline of the events leading up to the deadly flight.
Moments earlier, the pilot had dropped off two passengers after cutting a sightseeing flight short due to fog, officials said. One of the passengers provided a photo showing low visibility at 2:25 p.m., a precursor to the fatal crash a half hour later.
At 2:38 p.m., the pilot texted a friend that he was flying to a restaurant 12 miles away, but at 2:46 p.m., he texted again, saying he had encountered fog and made a precautionary landing at a convenience store about three miles away.
At 2:55 p.m., a witness saw the helicopter take off, then disappear into the fog, investigators said. Less than a minute later, the witness heard a crash.
The helicopter came down in a yard less than a quarter mile from the store, landing on its side and catching fire. A crater was found in the dirt next to the wreckage, with pieces of the fuselage and rotor impact marks nearby.
Investigators said the fuel tanks, which had not been upgraded with bladder systems, sustained severe thermal damage. The cabin and cowlings were destroyed in the fire.
No pre-crash mechanical issues were found in the engine or airframe.
The Robinson R44 helicopter was destroyed by the impact and post-crash fire. The pilot was the only person onboard.
Weather conditions were poor at the time, investigators noted. The ceiling at the time was 400 feet, and visibility was limited due to mist. An AIRMET Sierra warning for low ceilings and fog had been issued earlier that day.
Witnesses described the weather as "foggy or murky."
According to the NTSB, the pilot was not instrument-rated and was not authorized to fly in low-visibility conditions. He had previously attended the Robinson Helicopter Company Safety Course in 2008.
A GPS unit recovered from the wreckage was sent to the NTSB Recorder Laboratory for data extraction. The investigation is ongoing.
The complete report can be downloaded here.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Clear Spring-Hancock and receive free news updates.
