Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E accident near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, September 3, 2015
On September 3, 2015 at about 7:20 pm local time, a 1989 Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, registered N16056, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near New Smyrna Beach, Florida. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under public-use (government) rules. 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2015 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- New Smyrna Beach, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E, built 1989 · all 369Es on the register
- Registration
- N16056 · no longer on the register · serial 0353E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · public-use (government) rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he had just finished spraying one field and was making a 270-degree right turn to line up with a second field. During the turn, the pilot glanced over his left shoulder to select a visual reference point upon which to line up the helicopter after completing the turn. The pilot looked forward again, and the trees lining the fields were immediately in front of him. He attempted to climb the helicopter by applying power but was unable to avoid the trees. The pilot stated that there was no mechanical malfunction or abnormality with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Awareness of condition
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,875.6 hours in all; 308.7 in this make and model; 159.8 in the last 90 days; 57 in the last 30 days; 2,479.6 as pilot in command; 1,698.5 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 19, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,767.8 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 4, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250CZ0B (turboshaft); 4,812 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EVB New Smyrna Beach FL at 7:05 pm
- Destination: EVB New Smyrna Beach FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 pm from VVG, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on October 28, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Overlay of Helicopter Route on Google Earth | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.