SARASOTA, FL, USA
N520TC
HUGHES 369HS
THE HELICOPTER FLEW INTO WATER DURING AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FLIGHT. A PASSENGER IN THE HELICOPTER WAS WEARING A HARNESS AND WAS SECURED TO THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR BY A NYLON ROPE. THE NYLON ROPE BROKE AND THE PASSENGER WAS EJECTED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED AND DISLOCATED SHOULDER.
On June 22, 1994, about 1045 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 369HS, N520TC, registered to C & C Endeavers, crashed into the Sarasota Bay near Sarasota, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 aerial photography flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the airline transport- rated pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. One passenger sustained serious injuries. The flight originated about 1015 from the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, Sarasota, Florida. During an aerial photography flight the helicopter was flown into the water. One of the passengers who was in the right rear seat was wearing a harness which was secured to the seatbelt anchor by a nylon rope. After impact with the water the nylon rope broke and the passenger was ejected from the helicopter. The passenger sustained a fractured and dislocated shoulder.
ALTITUDE MISJUDGED BY THE PILOT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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