Accident Details
Date
Saturday, November 12, 2016
NTSB Number
GAA17CA070
Location
Stone Lake, WI
Event ID
20161116X11042
Coordinates
45.778610, -91.623886
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while in a hover and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with a tree.
Aircraft Information
Registration
N744JS
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Serial Number
13086
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Registered Owner (Historical)
Name
S M HENTGES & SONS INC
Address
650 QUAKER AVE
Status
Deregistered
City
JORDAN
State / Zip Code
MN 55352-4562
Country
United States
Analysis
The helicopter pilot reported that during a hover taxi for takeoff, about three ft above the ground, he thought that he saw a person at the corner of his drive way. He added that he stopped and the helicopter drifted to the left. Subsequently the main rotor blade impacted a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA070