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July 5, 2019 · Md Helicopter 369 E · N5277F

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Md Helicopter 369 E (2008)
Tail Number
N5277F
Operator
Law Enforcement
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19LA207

The helicopter flew about 1.5 hours with no problems. On final approach to land the helicopter, about 5 to 10 ft above the ground, the pilot experienced a sudden uncontrollable yaw and bank. The left skid contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The pilot stated that there was no sudden gust of wind and that he did not have input on the controls that would have caused the yaw and bank. Detailed examination of the helicopter’s flight controls did not reveal any anomalies. The reason for the yaw and bank could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB Probable Cause

Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined

Full Narrative

On July 4, 2019, about 2000 central daylight time, an MD 369-500E helicopter, N5277F, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Houston Hobby Airport (HOU), Houston, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured, and his flight officer sustained minor injuries. The flight was being conducted as a public operations flight. After 1.5 hours of an uneventful flight, the pilot was positioning the helicopter to land on a helipad at its home base (HOU). The pilot reported that after checking the wind conditions, he made a normal approach to the helipad. About 5 to 10 ft above the ground, just before coming to a hover, the helicopter had a sudden uncontrollable yaw and bank to the right. The pilot felt the left skid impact the ground, and the helicopter rolled on its right side. Both the pilot and passenger exited the helicopter after it came to rest. The pilot reported that before the uncontrolled yaw and bank to the right, there was no sudden gust of wind, and he stated that he did not have input on the controls that would have caused the yaw and bank to the right. Detailed examination of the helicopter’s flight control systems did not reveal any mechanical anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHouston Hobby (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMd Helicopter 369 E
Tail NumberN5277F
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLaw Enforcement
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royc · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time01:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data