MD Helicopter INC 369E accident near Whitefish, Montana, August 5, 2015
On August 5, 2015 at about 4:30 am local time, a 2010 MD Helicopter INC 369E, registered N43792, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Whitefish, Montana. It was an external-load flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude and a level attitude while hovering over water at night during an external load operation, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor contacting the surface of the water.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2015 · about 4:30 am local time
- Place
- Whitefish, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- MD Helicopter INC 369E E, built 2010
- Registration
- N43792 · no longer on the register · serial 0601E
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- External-load flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was hovering over a lake at night while practicing water bucket operations. He was using the helicopter's landing light and newly installed movable searchlight positioned to shine underneath and toward the left side of the helicopter for illumination. He reported that he was able to see the shoreline, horizon, and the texture on the water during these operations. He reported that, during the third load, he transitioned his sight "forward and inside to the instrument panel" and that, while he was scanning the instrument panel, he "noticed the rotor disk dipping toward the water." The main rotor blades then struck the water, followed by the helicopter impacting the water. The cockpit filled with water as the helicopter rolled upside-down and began to sink. The pilot reported that, while he was egressing from the cockpit underwater, he felt his "helmet tug backwards and…realized the communications cord was still attached to the helicopter." The pilot removed his helmet, surfaced, and swam to the shore without further incident. The helicopter was recovered from the lake, and an examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine 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
- External load event (Rotorcraft) during maneuvering (hover) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (hover)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (hover)
- Evacuation during post (impact)
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Water › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 933 hours in all; 367 in this make and model; 58 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 862 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 3, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 635.5 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 23, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 3,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20R/2 (turboshaft); 636 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Whitefish MT at 4:25 am
- Destination: Whitefish MT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 190° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 am from KGPI, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N43792 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.