AW-119MKII RA-01978 14.09.2013

     The accident with AW-119MKII RA-01978 helicopter owned by "VSP Leasing" Ltd occurred in the area of Staritsa locality, Tver region (RF) on September 14, 2013. According to the available information the pilot and a passenger on board were killed, the rotorcraft was destroyed. 
      The Interstate Aviation Committee has formed the Investigation team of the accident in accordance with the Russian Aviation Legislation. The Investigation team started its work.
     

     The Investigation team of the Interatate Aviation Committee has completed the investigation of the accident with Agusta AW119 MK II RA-01978 helicopter owned by "VSP-Leasing" LLC occurred on September 14, 2013.
     The immediate cause of the fatal accident with AW119 MK II RA-01978 helcicopter was spatial orientation loss by PIC during instrument meteorological conditions encounter.
      The following factors are in causial connection with the accident:
      • PIC's untimely decision about returning to the initial point or about landing site selected while in flight under deterioration of meteorological conditions up to values not allowing to perform VFR flight. 
      • non-compliance of PIC's proficiency level with commercial pilot requirements - PIC wasn't trained to perform IFR operations at helicopters;
      • programs used for PIC transition training for rehearsal types of helicopters are not specified for IFR operations; 
      • monitoring system for proficiency level conformity of aviation personnel with skill requirements isn't established in RF CA.
      Pilot's erronous perception of information on helcioter roll attitude position due to significant difference in current roll indication between ASTRONAUTICS 129920 3 horizon indicator and previously installed at R44 helicopter (4300 311 type horizon indicator) in condition of increased psychoemotional tension could contribute to spatial orientation loss.
       The appropriate safety recommendations based on the investigation results were developed.