# Accident 20120313004159A: Michael S/Michael K SAFARI, Hixson, TN, March 13, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 13, 2012, 17:49 local time
- Place: Hixson, TN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.1903° N, 85.1839° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1903&lon=-85.1839&mi=10
- Aircraft: N105KM, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N105KM-2017-09-18) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Michael S/Michael K SAFARI (registry code 056273W, https://openairdocs.org/model/michael-s-michael-k-safari) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Superior IO-360 series (registry code 59251, https://openairdocs.org/engine/superior-io-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MICHAEL S/MICHAEL K SAFARI
- Reported engine: SUPERIOR IO-360
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,429 total, 147 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA12LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA226) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120313004159A

## Narrative

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

ON 3-13/2012, AN EXPERIMENTAL HOME BUILT HELICOPTER DEPARTED FROM A PRIVATE HELICOPTER PAD AT THE OWNER'S HOME, LANDING 1MILE AWAY, TO PICK UP A PASSENGER AT THEIR HOME. AFTER MOVING THE BALLAST WT. FOR DUAL FLIGHT, THEY TOOK OFF ON A HEADING OF 130 DEGREES. THE HELICOPTER REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF 100' – 150'FT., WITH AN AIRSPEED OF 45MPH, WHEN THE PILOT FELT WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS AN MOMENTARY ENGINE SHUDDER; THEN THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE PILOT STOPPED THE CLIMB, CHECKED THE INSTRUMENTS, AND STARTED AN IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN TO RETURN BACK TO THE NEAREST LANDING SPOT, WHICH WAS 180 DEGREES BEHIND THEM. AT 90 DEGREES INTO THE TURN, THE ENGINE SHUDDERED AGAIN. FULL THROTTLE WAS APPLIED WITH NO RESPONSE. THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED FROM 2700 TO 1500 RPM, AND THE PILOT ENTERED IN TO AN AUTOROTATION, LANDING IN A POWER LINE RIGHT OF WAY IN THE TOP OF A 15 FT. TALL, 6IN DIAMETER TREE. THE TREE WAS ON THE EDGE OF A CREEK BANK. THE CREEK BANK GAVE WAY WITH THE TREE TOPPLING OVER, AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED ON ITS LEFT SIDE INTO THE CREEK. AFTER IMPACT, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SPREAD IN TO THE COCKPIT AREA, CAUSING FIRE DAMAGE TO THE COCKPIT AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BOTH OCCUPANTS EXITED THE HELICOPTER WITH MINOR BURNS.

## 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 ERA12LA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA226), Mar 13, 2012: Michael S/Michael K Safari (N105KM), Middle Valley, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to the postaccident condition of the airframe and engine.

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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