Summary
On February 28, 2000, a Hughes TH-55 (N9518K) was involved in an incident near Odessa, FL. 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 pilot's improper use of flight controls (cyclic and col lective) during a autorotation resulting in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report MIA00LA097. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9518K.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper use of flight controls (cyclic and col lective) during a autorotation resulting in a hard landing and subsequent roll over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA00LA097