The pilot's decision to attempt a mission at night with known en route weather conditions below operating minimums, likely due to self-induced pressure, and then continue flight beyond the alternate landing airport as weather conditions deteriorated, which resulted in the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's fatigue, his failure to recognize that mist had formed on the inner surface of the windshield, his complacency due to the effectiveness of the night vision goggles, and his failure to use the radar altimeter.
N497E
BELL OH-58A
Rotorcraft · Turbo-shaft
1 NTSB record
for this tail number, including substantial damage. See the full record below.
Registration
Airframe
Powerplant
Live Flight Status
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Transponder & Tracking
The hex code is the aircraft's ICAO 24-bit address, broadcast by its ADS-B transponder. It is the key used to match live position reports to this registration.
NTSB Accident & Incident Record
Mar 27, 2014
Accident
Substantial Tehachapi, CA
InjuriesNone
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsIMC
OperationFAR PUBU
Probable Cause
NTSB WPR14TA149