RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) -- The Air Force has completed its investigation of the HH-60 Pave Hawk accident May 11 near Angel Fire, N.M., which resulted in the death of an Air Force flight engineer.

The accident investigation determined the primary cause of the mishap to be pilot error. Other factors included unfavorable weather conditions and general complacency of the flight crew both in planning and executing the mission.

The helicopter crew, assigned to the 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, N.M., consisted of Maj. Larry J. Ouellette, pilot; Capt. John M. De Sir, co-pilot, and Tech. Sgt. Scott A. Bobbitt, flight engineer. The crew was conducting an instructor proficiency training sortie flight.

The pilot, Major Ouellette, maneuvered the helicopter into a turn at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire to allow the flight engineer to view a helicopter on display at the memorial. However, the pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude above terrain and lost control of the aircraft. The helicopter crashed into a small knoll on the memorial's property.

The flight engineer was ejected from the main cabin and fatally injured. The pilot and co-pilot were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and released the same day. The aircraft was totally destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire.

The accident investigation board was headed by Brig. Gen. (select) Mark S. Solo, 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus AFB, Okla.