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Location:
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McKinney, Texas
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Accident Number:
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CEN22LA068
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Date & Time:
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December 9, 2021, 17:00 Local
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Registration:
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N666JS
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Aircraft:
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CHR International Safari 400
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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Loss of control in flight
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Injuries:
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1 Serious
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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
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Factual Information
History of Flight - Preflight or dispatch event
Takeoff - Loss of control in flight (Defining event)
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Airline transport; Commercial; Flight instructor
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Age:
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59,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land; Single-engine sea
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Seat Occupied:
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Left
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Airplane; Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Airplane multi-engine; Airplane single-engine; Helicopter; Instrument airplane; Instrument helicopter
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Toxicology Performed:
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|
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Medical Certification:
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Class 1 With waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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July 12, 2021
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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August 1, 2021
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|
Flight Time:
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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)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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CHR International
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Registration:
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N666JS
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|
Model/Series:
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Safari 400
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
|
|
Year of Manufacture:
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2014
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Amateur Built:
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Yes
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|
Airworthiness Certificate:
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Experimental (Special)
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Serial Number:
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CH406
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|
Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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2
|
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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November 21, 2021 Annual
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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1650 lbs
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|
Time Since Last Inspection:
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5 Hrs
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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75 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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YIO-360-EXP
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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180 Horsepower
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KTKI,586 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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1 Nautical Miles
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|
Observation Time:
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16:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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0°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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|
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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7 knots /
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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None / None
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Wind Direction:
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200°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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N/A / N/A
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.77 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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24°C / 11°C
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|
Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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|
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Departure Point:
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McKinney, TX (TKI)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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McKinney, TX (TKI)
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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17:00 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class D
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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MCKINNEY NTL TKI
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Runway Surface Type:
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|
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Airport Elevation:
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588 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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|
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Runway Used:
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IFR Approach:
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None
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Runway Length/Width:
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VFR Approach/Landing:
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None
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
|
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Passenger Injuries:
|
|
Aircraft Fire:
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On-ground
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Ground Injuries:
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|
Aircraft Explosion:
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Unknown
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Total Injuries:
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1 Serious
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Latitude, Longitude:
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33.177391,-96.591032(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Folkerts, Michael
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|
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Matthew Spawn; Flight Standards District Office; Irving, TX
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|
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Original Publish Date:
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June 9, 2022 Investigation Class:
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4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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|
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104380
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