Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.
NTSB analysis
A witness video showed the helicopter flying very low over a lake before it impacted the water. During postaccident interviews with news outlets, the pilot stated he and a passenger were flying the helicopter low over clear water, when his “depth perception got a little off”, and he drove the helicopter into the water. The helicopter fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot did not complete a NTSB Form 6120.1 Accident/Incident Report.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA112 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 15, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Waterford, California
- Nearest airport
- (MOD)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Enstrom 280FX
- N-number
- N402TA
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2006
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.