Event NYC85FA048

Factual narrative

THE NON-INST RATED PLT CONTINUED FLT INTO IMC CONDITIONS IN A HELICOPTER WHICH WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR FLT ON INSTRUMENTS. THERE IS NO RECORD OR WITNESSES OF THE PLT HAVING RECEIVED A FORMAL WX BRIEFING BUT IT IS REPORTED THAT THE PLT WAS INFORMED OF FOG MOVING TOWARD AND EVENTUALLY 'SOCKING IN' THE ARPT. THE PLTS REPLY TO THE LAST CALL OF A 'SOCKED IN' CONDITION WAS 'I HAVE THE ARPT IN SIGHT'. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT HEADING AWAY FROM THE ARPT AFTER HAVING HEARD IT FLYING TOWARD THE ARPT. THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO DESCEND AT A STEEP ANGLE TOWARD THE GROUND JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE SIGHTING WAS SHORT (APROX 3 SECONDS) AND MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY THE REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG AND FADING DAYLIGHT (DUSK). INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL OR PHYSICAL REASONS OF A CONTRIBUTORY NATURE. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12