Summary
On September 03, 1996, a Bell OH-58A (N160SA) was involved in an incident near Wetumpka, AL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilot improper use of flight controls (cyclic a nd collective) on a takeoff to a hover, resulting in the helicopter rolling to the right, and the main rotor blade colliding with the ground.
On September 3, 1996, a Bell OH-58A, N160SA, registered to the State of Alabama, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 public-use instructional flight, crashed on takeoff to a hover in the vicinity of Wetumpka, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating from the Wetumpka Municipal Airport at the time of the accident.
The student pilot stated they had considerable rain in the local area, and the grassy area that he was taking off from was soft. He increased collective pitch, the left skid came off the ground, and the helicopter started to roll to the right.
This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA96TA221. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N160SA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot improper use of flight controls (cyclic a nd collective) on a takeoff to a hover, resulting in the helicopter rolling to the right, and the main rotor blade colliding with the ground.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 3, 1996, a Bell OH-58A, N160SA, registered to the State of Alabama, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 public-use instructional flight, crashed on takeoff to a hover in the vicinity of Wetumpka, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating from the Wetumpka Municipal Airport at the time of the accident.
The student pilot stated they had considerable rain in the local area, and the grassy area that he was taking off from was soft. He increased collective pitch, the left skid came off the ground, and the helicopter started to roll to the right. The main rotor blades collided with the ground, as he was applying full left cyclic and lowering the collective pitch to the full down position. The helicopter rocked to the left and came to rest upright on its skids.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA96TA221