Sikorsky HH-60L accident near Tullahoma, Tennessee, February 28, 2019
On February 28, 2019 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 1986 Sikorsky HH-60L (helicopter), registered N260MW, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Tullahoma, Tennessee (Tullahoma Rgnl Arpt/Wm Norther airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight crew’s improper decision to continue the VFR flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees during a subsequent precautionary landing attempt.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 28, 2019 · about 9:00 pm local time · cases in 2019
- Place
- Tullahoma, Tennessee · Tullahoma Rgnl Arpt/Wm Norther · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Sikorsky HH-60L, built 1986 · all HH-60Ls on the register
- Registration
- N260MW · no longer on the register · serial 86-24560
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight crew was on a visual flight rules (VFR) ferry flight to reposition the helicopter for maintenance and inspection. Prior to departure, they had expected VFR conditions along the entire route of flight. During an intermediate stop for fuel about 42 miles from the destination, they noted the weather conditions appeared to be clear, but they did not obtain an updated weather briefing. After departure, about 10 miles away from their destination, they encountered heavy rain, moderate turbulence, and deteriorating visibility (a nearby airport reported a visibility of 2.5 statute miles in mist and an overcast cloud ceiling at 300 feet). They descended to about 100 feet above ground level to maintain visual contact with the ground. When VFR flight conditions “were no longer possible,” they performed a turn and attempted a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing, the helicopter struck trees and impacted terrain.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing defining event
- Other weather encounter during enroute (cruise)
- Low altitude operation/event during enroute (cruise)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Flight crew
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low ceiling › Decision related to condition
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low visibility › Decision related to condition
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,800 hours in all; 2,500 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 5,506 as pilot in command; 2,610 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,800 hours in all; 2,500 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,889 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, February 25, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 23,500 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: General Electric GE-T700-701C (turboshaft); 4,152 hours total
- Engine 2: General Electric GE-T700-701C (turboshaft); 4,987 hours total
- Operator: Aircraft Investment Holdings Llc
The flight
- Departed from: 4A6 Scottsboro AL at 8:00 pm
- Destination: THA Tullahoma TN
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2.5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 300 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from THA, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Helicopter – View from Front (courtesy FAA)
Helicopter – View from Right Side (courtesy FAA)
Helicopter – View from Rear Side (courtesy FAA)The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on March 9, 2022. 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 | Record of FAA Converation with Pilot in Command | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - Witness | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Fuel Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Ferry Permit Application and Airworthiness Certificate | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 8 | Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N260MW: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Sikorsky HH-60 32 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Sikorsky 827 aircraft on the register
- Engine: General Electric GE-T700-701C · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: General Electric GE-T700-701C · as the NTSB recorded it
- Tullahoma Rgnl/Wm Northern Field · nearest airport
- Scottsboro Muni-Word Field · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Tennessee 1,198 since 1982 · 231 in the last ten years
- Tennessee 6,535 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA19TA110.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.