Agusta A109A II accident near Winslow, Washington, September 11, 1995
On September 11, 1995 at about 12:30 pm local time, a Agusta A109A II (helicopter), registered N1WC, was destroyed in an accident near Winslow, Washington. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was conditions the NTSB did not record.
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance above the surface of water, while flying over calm water conditions at night. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, glassy (calm) water conditions, and the lack of visual cues for visual perception of altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 1995 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Winslow, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- conditions the NTSB did not record
- Aircraft
- Agusta A109A II · all A109A IIs on the register
- Registration
- N1WC · registry record · serial 7278
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter pilot took off at night on a positioning flight for an emergency medical service (EMS) operation. There were reports of a low overcast layer varying from 1,000 feet above ground level to the surface. The majority of the witnesses reported that the helicopter was flying low as it traveled over the ground and continued over water toward a nearby island. Subsequently, the helicopter collided with the water and sank. Several of the witnesses reported that the engine sounded normal until the helicopter crashed. Some witnesses reported a 'popping' sound or a 'laboring' sound from the engines; however, after the engines were recovered at a later date, no evidence of a preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was found. Local residents reported that the water condition at the time of the accident was 'calm' or 'glassy.' Several small pieces of the fuselage and main rotor blades were found floating on the surface of the water. Examination revealed that 3 of the main rotor blades had separated approximately three feet out from the attach points. The fourth blade separated approximately seven feet out from the attach point; however, the blade was bent and cracked chordwise approximately three feet out from the attach point. Using side scan sonar, wreckage was found over a distance of approximately 600 feet. The landing gear was found in the extended position, and the engine power levers were found in the flight position. Also, torsional evidence was found on the tail rotor driveshaft.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,056 hours in all; 51 in this make and model; 51 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,909 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 10, 1995; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,730 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Allison 250 C20B (turboshaft); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hospital Air Transport
The flight
- Departed from: BFI Seattle WA at 12:26 pm
- Destination: WA
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 010° at 5 knots
- Sky: overcast; not recorded
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:45 pm from BFI, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 3 |
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.
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 documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text 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 SEA95FA214.