ROCK HILL, SC, USA
N7507J
SCHWEIZER 269C
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS FLYING AN AERIAL OBSERVATION FLIGHT. HE TURNED ON THE COCKPIT HEAT. A COPPERHEAD SNAKE EMERGED FROM THE HEAT VENT NEAR HIS FEET. AS THE PILOT MANEUVERED TOWARDS A LANDING AREA, THE SNAKE APPEARED POISED TO STRIKE. HE TRIED TO STEP ON THE SNAKE WITH HIS FOOT AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED TREES AND TERRAIN AND WAS DESTROYED. THE SNAKE WAS NOT FOUND AFTER THE ACCIDENT. DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND SNAKE VENOM TESTING ON THE PILOT WAS NEGATIVE.
THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO A POISONOUS SNAKE IN THE COCKPIT AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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