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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

February 28, 2000 · Hughes TH-55 · N9518K

Odessa, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 28, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Odessa, FL
Aircraft
Hughes TH-55
Tail Number
N9518K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA00LA097

The pilot was conducting an autorotation with turn. He sta rted his deceleration between 75 to 100 feet. The helicopter was not slowing down, he applied aft cyclic and the helicopter entered into a vertical rate of descent. Collective pitch was increased, the helicopter struck the ground in a tail low attitude separating the tail boom , and rolled over on it's right side.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper use of flight controls (cyclic and col lective) during a autorotation resulting in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.

Full Narrative

On February 28, 2000, at about 1030 eastern standard time, a Hughes TH-55, N9518K, registered to Pasco County Mosquito Control, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 training flight crashed during a training autorotation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The pilot departed from a private state heliport about 30 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was conducting an autorotation with turn. He started his deceleration between 75 to 100 feet. The helicopter was not slowing down, he applied aft cyclic and the helicopter entered into a vertical rate of descent. Collective pitch was increased, the helicopter collided with the ground in a tail low attitude separating the tail boom, and rolled over on its right side.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHughes TH-55
Tail NumberN9518K
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · HIO-360-B1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:42
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data