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NTSB Final Report: McKinney, Texas

Location:

McKinney, Texas

Accident Number:

CEN22LA068

Date & Time:

December 9, 2021, 17:00 Local

Registration:

N666JS

Aircraft:

CHR International Safari 400

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Defining Event:

Loss of control in flight

Injuries:

1 Serious

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that he drove from his home to the airport not expecting to fly the helicopter due to high winds, however, after arrival at the hangar the winds were lighter than the forecast winds, so he conducted a preflight for a local flight. As the pilot raised the collective for takeoff and the helicopter climbed into an initial hover, the helicopter rolled to the left. The pilot tried to counter the roll but was unable because the cyclic control lock was still in place. The helicopter continued to roll left and impacted the ramp and a post impact fire ensued. The pilot successfully egressed the helicopter but suffered serious burn injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system and the cabin. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot did not remove the cyclic control lock during preflight, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial hover.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft - Preflight inspection - Pilot (general) - Inadequate inspection

Aircraft - Lateral/bank control - Attain/maintain not possible


Factual Information

History of Flight - Preflight or dispatch event

Takeoff - Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate:

Airline transport; Commercial; Flight instructor

Age:

59,Male

Airplane Rating(s):

Single-engine land; Single-engine sea

Seat Occupied:

Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Helicopter

Restraint Used:

3-point

Instrument Rating(s):

Airplane; Helicopter

Second Pilot Present:

No

Instructor Rating(s):

Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Helicopter; Instrument airplane; Instrument helicopter

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

Class 1 With waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam:

July 12, 2021

Occupational Pilot:

Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

August 1, 2021

Flight Time:

16568 hours (Total, all aircraft), 10 hours (Total, this make and model), 9200 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 118 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 44 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:

CHR International

Registration:

N666JS

Model/Series:

Safari 400

Aircraft Category:

Helicopter

Year of Manufacture:

2014

Amateur Built:

Yes

Airworthiness Certificate:

Experimental (Special)

Serial Number:

CH406

Landing Gear Type:

Skid

Seats:

2

Date/Type of Last Inspection:

November 21, 2021 Annual

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

1650 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

5 Hrs

Engines:

1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time:

75 Hrs at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer:

Lycoming

ELT:

 

Engine Model/Series:

YIO-360-EXP

Registered Owner:

 

Rated Power:

180 Horsepower

Operator:

On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light:

Day

Observation Facility, Elevation:

KTKI,586 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

1 Nautical Miles

Observation Time:

16:53 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Clear

Visibility

10 miles

Lowest Ceiling:

None

Visibility (RVR):

 

Wind Speed/Gusts:

7 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:

None / None

Wind Direction:

200°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:

N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting:

29.77 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point:

24°C / 11°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

No Obscuration; No Precipitation

 

Departure Point:

McKinney, TX (TKI)

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

None

Destination:

McKinney, TX (TKI)

Type of Clearance:

None

Departure Time:

17:00 Local

Type of Airspace:

Class D

Airport Information

Airport:

MCKINNEY NTL TKI

Runway Surface Type:

 

Airport Elevation:

588 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition:

 

Runway Used:

 

IFR Approach:

None

Runway Length/Width:

 

VFR Approach/Landing:

None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

1 Serious

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

 

Aircraft Fire:

On-ground

Ground Injuries:

 

Aircraft Explosion:

Unknown

Total Injuries:

1 Serious

Latitude, Longitude:

33.177391,-96.591032(est)

Administrative Information

Investigator In Charge (IIC):

Folkerts, Michael

 

Additional Participating Persons:

Matthew Spawn; Flight Standards District Office; Irving, TX

 

Original Publish Date:

June 9, 2022                                                                    Investigation Class:

4

Note:

The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

 

Investigation Docket:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104380

 

 

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