# Accident 19991220037039A: Hughes OH6A, Fort Myers, FL, December 20, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 20, 1999, 08:00 local time
- Place: Fort Myers, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Final Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 26.5291° N, 81.8309° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5291&lon=-81.8309&mi=10
- Aircraft: N72LC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72LC-2002-09-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes OH-6A (registry code 4470905, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-oh-6a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HIO-360 series (registry code 41524, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES OH6A
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB MIA00GA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00GA057) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991220037039A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON DECEMBER 20, ABOUT 0800 EASTERN STANDARD TIME, A HUGHES OH-6A, N72LC, REGISTERED TO AND OPERATED BY LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AS A TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 PUBLIC-USE FLIGHT, CRASHED INTO THE ROOF OF A BUILDING DURING APPROACH FOR LANDING. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, AND THE COMMERCIAL-RATED PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.  THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM BUCKINGHAM AIRFIELD THE SAME DAY, ABOUT 0745. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER FLY OVER THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE LANDING PAD AND TURN OUTBOUND ON A NORTHEASTERLY HEADING.  THE WITNESSES FURTHER STATED THAT JUST OVER THE TREES AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL BUILDING, THE HELICOPTER  MADE A RIGHT DESCENDING TURN AND IMPACTED THE ANIMAL CONTROL BUILDING IN A NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE.                                        (-23)ON DECEMBER 20, 1999, ABOUT 0800 HRS EST, A HUGHES OH6A, N72LC, REGISTERED TO AND OPERATED BY LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AS A TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 PUBLIC USE FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.  THE HELICOPTER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, AND THE COMMERICAL RATED PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURY.  THE FLIGH T ORIGINATED FROM BUCKINGHAM AIRFIELD THE SAME DAY AT 0745 HRS. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER FLY OVER THE SHERIFF'S LANDING PAD AND TURNED OUTBOUND TO THE NORTH.  THE WITNESSES FURTHER STATED THAT JUST OVER THE TREES AT THE NORHTEAST CORNER OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL BUILDING, THE HELICOPTER MADE A RIGHT DESCENDING TURN AND IMAPCTED THE ROOF.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA00GA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00GA057), Dec 20, 1999: Hughes OH-6A (N72LC), Fort Myers, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: improper maintenance inspection of the helicopter by unknown maintenance personnel, resulting in a worn control rod bearing being continued in service, and subsequent separation, resulting in an…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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