HILLER-ROGERSON HELICOPTER UH12E

Madison, FL, November 15, 2010

Event Information

DateNovember 15, 2010
Event TypeACC
LocationMadison, FL
CountryUSA
Coordinates30.28278, -83.37167
Highest InjuryNONE
NTSB NumberERA11CA059
Event ID20101115X55905

Aircraft

MakeHILLER-ROGERSON HELICOPTER
ModelUH12E
Registration #N4034Z
OperatorSUMMIT HELICOPTERS INC
OwnerSUMMIT HELICOPTERS INC
CategoryHELI
FAR Part137
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None1
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot's encounter with a settling with power condition while he was performing slow, low-level, out-of- ground-effect flight maneuvers.

Full Narrative

According to the helicopter pilot, he was completing north-south herbicide spray patterns with winds varying from the east to south at 4 to 5 mph. As the pilot positioned the helicopter for the next northern track, he "began to feel the aircraft start to lose altitude after the turn." The pilot stated that he tried to regain control by pushing forward the cyclic and lowering the collective to "get out of the settling with power." When ground contact was imminent, he raised the collective to cushion the impact. The helicopter touched down, spun, and rolled onto its left side. Post-accident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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