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).
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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 October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 28, 2019 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Tullahoma, Tennessee · Tullahoma Rgnl Arpt/Wm Norther · 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA19TA110.