SONESTOWN, PA, USA
N891GM
MBB BK 117 B-1
THE MEDIVAC HELICOPTER WAS RETURNING TO SAYRE AFTER TRANSPORTING A PATIENT TO DANVILLE. RECORDED RADAR DATA AND DATA OBTAINED FROM THE HELICOPTER'S LORAN-C MEMORY INDICATES THAT THE FLIGHT WAS FOLLOWING A DIRECT COURSE FROM THE GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER AT DANVILLE TO THE ROBERT PACKER HOSPITAL AT SAYRE. THE ACFT'S HSI WAS SET TO DISPLAY LORAN COURSE INFORMATION. THE CLOSEST POINT OF THE COURSE TO THE CREST OF NORTH MOUNTAIN WAS APRX 3/4 MILE TO THE WEST. THE PILOT HAD ADVISED WILLIAMSPORT ATCT TRANSITTING THEIR CONTROL ZONE AT 2,500 FT. IMPACT OCCURRED AT 2,440 FT MSL. THE CREST OF THE RIDGE IS 2,520 FT MSL WITH 40-FT HIGH TREES. A WITNESS WHO LIVES IN A CABIN ON THE MOUNTAIN 200 YARDS FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT IT WAS SNOWING VERY HARD WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE CABIN AROUND 1930.
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING TO ASSURE THAT THE INTENDED COURSE AND ALTITUDE PROVIDED ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE DARK NIGHT, SNOW AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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