Robinson R-44 | N881KE

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to Pilot Error, in that the pilot failed to plan and fly a route that would remain well clear of all free standing structures at her planned tour altitude. As a new for profit tour operations, the owners and managers of the associated company likely did not provide specific guidance or training to the pilot concerning the route and altitude to be flown for this scenic night flight package.

Probable Cause issued 9/23/2026 – 23 months after the accident: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.

The DTSB recommends that all helicopter tour operators take adequate steps to plan basic GPS routes and altitudes that clear all objects by a wide margin, and operate at an altitude such that a powerplant failure would lead to a safe auto rotate off airport landing. The DTSB recommends that all pilots use available technology to avoid controlled flight into known terrain. The DTSB also recommends that FAA more closely monitor the night tower lighting system installed on all structures above 200 AGL as compared to that which is required by law.