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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 25, 1994 · Scorpion 133 · N845H

Fredricksburg, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fredricksburg, TX
Aircraft
Scorpion 133
Tail Number
N845H
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA248

THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS PRACTICING HOVERING HIS HOMEBUILT HELICOPTER. AFTER 20 MINUTES OF PRACTICE, THERE WAS A HARD TOUCHDOWN ON THE REAR PORTION OF THE LEFT SKID. THE SKID COLLAPSED AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. AT THAT TIME THE PILOT TURNED AND LOOKED BACK TOWARD THE TAIL ROTOR AND WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE BY A TAIL ROTOR BLADE. THE PILOT REPORTED WIND FROM THE SOUTH AT 15 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTING TO 20. HE ALSO RELATED THAT A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE HELICOPTER WHILE HE WAS HOVERING ABOUT 18 INCHES ABOVE THE GROUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE GUSTY WIND AND THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT'S INADEQUATE TRAINING.

Full Narrative

On July 25, 1994, approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Scorpion 133, N845H, was substantially damaged during hovering operations at Fredricksburg, Texas. The non-certificated pilot was the owner, builder, and operator. The pilot sustained serious injuries. Weather at the time of the accident was visual meteorological conditions. Witnesses and family members reported that the pilot was practicing hover operations when he made contact with the ground. The first and second contact resulted in no damage; however, the third ground contact resulted in the left skid breaking and the tail rotor striking the ground. Following the skid failure the pilot looked outside and to the rear of the aircraft to see what damage had occurred, at that time he was struck in the face by a tail rotor blade. The strike resulted in the pilot sustaining serious injuries and a loss of consciousness. The pilot reported wind from the south gusting to 20 miles per hour. He further stated in his enclosed report that while hovering about 18 inches off the ground a gust of wind caught the aircraft. The 13 year old daughter of the pilot observed the event. When the skid collapsed the aircraft leaned over to the right, bringing the main rotor tip path close to the ground. The engine continued to run after the pilot lost consciousness. The daughter crawled under the main rotors and shut down the aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftScorpion 133
Tail NumberN845H
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotorway · RW133 · Reciprocating · 140
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 13 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data