20130612023169A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Hughes TH-55A · Morgantown, WV · June 12, 2013

Date: June 12, 2013 · 12:30 local
Place: Morgantown, WV
Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N7057H
NTSB investigation: NTSBERA13CA283
Reported as: Hughes TH-55A
Reported engine: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 1
Pilot’s certificate: Private pilot
Pilot’s flight hours: 260 total200 in this make and model20 in the last 90 days

N7057HRegistration cancelled Aug 10, 2018 · Hughes TH-55AS/N 67-15399 · Built 1968 Airframe modelHughes TH-55A Engine modelLycoming HIO-360-B1AReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

Aircraft was operating at an off airport site (gravel parking lot). Pilot stated preflight inspection and engine run up were normal. Pilot initiated takeoff from southwest edge of parking lot. During take off climb, helicopter did not have enough power to clear the approaching tree tops in departure path. Pilot initiated RH turn and the aircraft began to settle with power. The helicopter struck the trees and and rolled to the right colliding with the ground.

Temp-83 f, dew point 66, baro press 29.91, wind 6 kts/sw, density altitude 3500+ft

As the FAA filed it

AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATING AT AN OFF AIRPORT SITE (GRAVEL PARKING LOT). PILOT STATED PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND ENGINE RUN UP WERE NORMAL. PILOT INITIATED TAKEOFF FROM SOUTHWEST EDGE OF PARKING LOT. DURING TAKE OFF CLIMB, HELICOPTER DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO CLEAR THE APPROACHING TREE TOPS IN DEPARTURE PATH. PILOT INITIATED RH TURN AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE WITH POWER. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE TREES AND AND ROLLED TO THE RIGHT COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND.

TEMP-83 F, DEW POINT 66, BARO PRESS 29.91, WIND 6 KTS/SW, DENSITY ALTITUDE 3500+FT

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB ERA13CA283Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMorgantown, WVThe pilot’s inadequate planning which resulted in an encounter with settling with power and descent into terrain during takeoff.Jun 12, 2013 · Substantial damage