Navy Cites Poor Decision-Making On The Part Of Aircraft Commanders

The command investigation into the inadvertent water landings at Lake Tahoe in September 2010 of two helicopters assigned to Maritime Strike Helicopter Squadron (HSM) 41 was completed Dec. 20. The investigation found that the mishap was entirely preventable had the aircrew followed required directives for conducting cross-country flights and applied more vigilant operational risk management.

Navy Helicopters Over Lake Tahoe YouTube Frame Capture

No punitive actions are warranted as a result of the investigation, but specific administrative measures are in progress for the aircrew and squadron to prevent a similar incident in the future.

The investigation identified the decision of the aircraft commanders to conduct hovers over Lake Tahoe without completing the necessary engine performance calculations as the causal factor for the mishap. The report also identified several contributing factors, including the aircrew's  complacency, lack of flight discipline and lack of command oversight in planning and executing cross-country flights.

The incident occurred Sept. 13 when two MH-60R helicopters assigned to HSM-41 on the return leg of a cross-country training flight inadvertently settled into the water while attempting unplanned hovers over Lake Tahoe. Both aircraft regained sufficient power to resume flight and safely landed at Lake Tahoe Airport. No one was injured in the incident, and both aircraft were repaired and safely returned to Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., Sept. 16. The cost of repairs for both aircraft totaled $505,751.20.

FMI: www.navy.mil/local/airpac/