7) TERRAIN COLLISION, C-FIT

Robinson R-44 | N331ES

March 15th, 2025 | New Mount Cross, Virginia

Accident Location

  • City: New Mount Cross
  • State: Virginia
  • Latitude: 36.65
  • Longitude: -79.492778
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Jackson, Paul Douglas
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 72
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 2nd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: March 15th, 2025
  • Time: 3:05 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: IMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Approach
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: CEN25FA124
  • NTSB Travel: Yes
  • AQP Classification: 7) TERRAIN COLLISION, C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the non instrument rated pilot dropped off 2 passengers, then intended to reach a restaurant which was 12 miles due east of the drop off location, and eventually flew into terrain in foggy conditions. After the drop off, the accident pilot flew 3.3 miles north, in an apparent attempt to avoid both fog and rising terrain, whereupon he eventually landed at a convenience store but did not shut down. The accident pilot then took off again after texting his lunch appointment contact that he was running later and had “encountered fog.” The helicopter was found to have impacted terrain just one quarter mile north and east of the convenience store, and less than 60 seconds after liftoff. Numerous witnesses heard the sound of the impact from the convenience store and remarked how foggy it was at liftoff.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all rotor wing aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to avoid the pressure to perform low level flight in order reach a destination in obviously very low ceiling and very low visibility conditions. The accident pilot lost his life attempting to reach a restaurant still 11 miles away in IMC conditions.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.