DUTCH HARBOR, AK, USA
N8495E
Bell B-47G2A
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH RECOMMENDED AGAINST VFR FLIGHT. HE DEPARTED FOR HIS DESTINATION AND ACTIVATED HIS FLIGHT PLAN. THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION WITH WHICH HE ACTIVATED HIS FLIGHT PLAN CLOSED PRIOR TO N8495E REACHING ITS DESTINATION, BUT THE FLIGHT INFORMATION WAS PASSED ON TO KING SALMON FLIGHT SERVICE STATION. THE AIR TRAFFIC SPECIALIST AT KING SALMON FAILED TO 'SUSPENSE' THE FLIGHT INFORMATION ON N8495E. THIS RESULTED IN THE LACK OF ANY OVERDUE AIRCRAFT REPORT OR SEARCH AND RESCUE. MEANWHILE, N8495E WAS OPERATING IN THE VICINITY OF THE DUTCH HARBOR AIRPORT WHILE IN HEAVY FOG. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND SAW A CLIFF APPEAR IN FRONT OF THE HELICOPTER AND HE VEERED AWAY AND ANOTHER CLIFF APPEAR AND AS HE VEERED AWAY AGAIN THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE WATER AND SANK.
THE PILOT IN COMMANDS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE WHILE MANUEVERING TO AVOID TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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