Originally published at: Two Killed in Catalina Medical Helicopter Accident
Two others were hospitalized and one remained missing following the accident off the Southern California island.
Don’t know exactly what happened but the first thought that springs to my mind is spatial-D/LOC. Going from overland to over open water at night can be (and has been) lethal – think JFK Jr (the 5HZ at AVX at 0051Z/1851 PDT is just what Kennedy had over the Long Island Sound). It’s also to my knowledge happened departing off Runway 14 at Ocean City MD (and on the downwind for 32), turning north/northeast over the lake out of Burke Lakefront OH, turning out over the Gulf off 23 and 32 at Venice FL; no doubt folks can cite similar locations. Even if it’s theoretically “VFR” by 91.155 standards, you’re instantly in no-[foolin’] actual instrument conditions (“when some outside conditions make it necessary for the pilot to use the aircraft instruments in order to maintain adequate control over the aircraft”, to quote the FAA Chief Counsel) requiring true instrument flying proficiency.
This is one reason I do some serious hood work on Flight Reviews for VFR pilots – and if that means it takes more than 60 minutes of flying to convince me that someone is prepared to exercise their pilot priviliges, so be it.