Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ATL91LA096

ROCK HILL, SC, USA

Aircraft #1

N7507J

SCHWEIZER 269C

Analysis

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.

Probable Cause and Findings

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

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports