Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot not maintaining clearance from the water while maneuvering for photographs.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The helicopter was destroyed on impact with a lake. The pilot's accident report stated, "I was on a photo flight. We were taking pictures of boats on the Lake Of The Ozarks. I was descending from about 150 [feet above ground level] agl, to take photos. I tried to level off about 40 agl when the helicopter began to shutter and sink through. I pulled more collective which seemed to worsen the shudder. I began a flare and collided with the water for the most part skids level." The pilot did not list any mechanical malfunctions associated with the flight.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 25, 2005, about 1115 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N7195L, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed on impact with the Lake of the Ozarks, near Osage Beach, Missouri. The helicopter was maneuvering for photographs above the lake in visual meteorological conditions. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported that he sustained no injuries. The passenger reported that he had sustained minor injuries. The local flight departed from the Lee C Fine Memorial Airport, near Kaiser Lake Ozark, Missouri, about 1035. The pilot's accident report stated: I was on a photo flight. We were taking pictures of boats on the Lake Of The Ozarks. I was descending from about 150 [feet above ground level] agl, to take photos. I tried to level off about 40 agl when the helicopter began to shutter and sink through. I pulled more collective witch seemed to worsen the shudder. I began a flare and collided with the water for the most part skids level. The pilot did not list any mechanical malfunctions associated with the flight.