N565CH

On September 28, 2006, about 1820 central daylight time, an amateur built Daub Pawnee Chief helicopter, N565CH, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the ground following a loss of flight control authority while hovering in ground effect at McCook Regional Airport (MCK), McCook, Nebraska. A post impact fire ensued. The test flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The local flight originated from MCK about 1800.

The pilot was conducting test flights in a low hover, three to four feet above the ground. The pilot stated that while hovering, the tail came up and one of the skids caught the ground. The helicopter subsequently rolled over. He noted that the ground consisted of tall grass and soft dirt.

Post accident inspection of the helicopter revealed that a cyclic control cable bracket had separated from the main rotor mast at a welded joint. The bracket secured the end of the control cable shroud. The cable itself provided control authority from the cyclic to the main rotor.