NTSB Final Report: Waycross, GA
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Location:
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Waycross, Georgia
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Accident Number:
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ERA25LA040
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Date & Time:
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November 5, 2024, 13:00 Local
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Registration:
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N11AS
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Aircraft:
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Hughes 369D
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Defining Event:
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External load event (Rotorcraft)
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Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Flight Conducted Under:
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Part 133: Rotorcraft ext. load
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Analysis
The pilot was conducting tree trimming operations on a power line right of way that consisted of a 10-blade aerial saw that was slung below the helicopter. During the cutting, a saw blade snagged a 1/2-inch cable that wrapped itself around the lower saw blades. A section of the cable broke off and struck the tail rotor assembly, damaging the stabilizers and tail rotor drive shaft. The helicopter lost all tail rotor authority and began an uncontrolled yaw, impacting the trees as it descended to the terrain where it came to rest on its left side. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and rotor blades. The operator did not report that there were any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the helicopter 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:
An encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
Findings
Environmental issues Wire - Effect on equipment
Aircraft Horizontal stabilizer - Damaged/degraded
Aircraft Tail rotor drive shaft - Damaged/degraded
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying External load event (Rotorcraft) (Defining event)
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Loss of control in flight
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial
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Age:
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26,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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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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4-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 With waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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July 9, 2024
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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May 1, 2024
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Flight Time:
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1900 hours (Total, all aircraft), 400 hours (Total, this make and model), 1850 hours (Pilot In
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Command, all aircraft), 85 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4
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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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Hughes
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Registration:
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N11AS
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Model/Series:
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369D
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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1979
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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790541D
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last
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November 2, 2024 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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3550 lbs
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Inspection:
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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6 Hrs
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Engines:
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1 Turbo shaft
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Airframe Total Time:
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40678 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Rolls Royce
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ELT:
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C126 installed, not activated
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Engine Model/Series:
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250-C20B
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Registered Owner:
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AVIATION ADVANTAGE LLC
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Rated Power:
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420 Horsepower
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Operator:
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AVIATION ADVANTAGE LLC
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Operating Certificate(s)
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Rotorcraft external load
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Held:
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(133)
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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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AYS,142 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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0 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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12:55 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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292°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Scattered / 3900 ft AGL
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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9 knots /
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Turbulence Type
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None / None
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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110°
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Turbulence Severity
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N/A / N/A
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Forecast/Actual:
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.08 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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29°C / 20°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Waycross, GA (AYS)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Waycross, GA
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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11:54 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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WAYCROSS-WARE COUNTY AYS
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Runway Surface Type:
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Airport Elevation:
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141 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Holes;Rough;Vegetation
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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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Forced landing
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Latitude,
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31.248389,-82.395389(est)
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Longitude:
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Mccarter, Lawrence
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Additional Participating
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Rodney Hood; FAA/FSDO; Atlanta, GA
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Persons:
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Original Publish Date:
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January 21, 2025
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Last Revision Date:
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Investigation Class:
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Class 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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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195452
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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