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20140413006379A

Accident · Destroyed
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FAA accident report · Christopher W Sands HELICYCLE · Reno, NV · April 13, 2014

FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal

© OpenStreetMap
Date
April 13, 2014 · 12:17 local
Place
Reno, NV
Phase of flight
Maneuver
Operating rules
General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage
Destroyed
Aircraft
N78CS
NTSB investigation
NTSBWPR14FA167
Reported as
Christopher W Sands Helicycle
People aboard
1
Fatal injuries
1
Other injuries
0
Pilot’s certificate
Student
Pilot’s flight hours
54 total1 in this make and model15 in the last 90 days
N78CSRegistration cancelled Mar 20, 2018 · Christopher W Sands HELICYCLES/N 5-14 · Built 2014Airframe modelChristopher W Sands HELICYCLEEngine modelSolar T-62Turbo-shaft

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.

The Helicycle student pilot was flying a left pattern for ruway 08. Witnesses observed the aircraft suddenly plunge to the ground somewhere between crosswind and downwind, completing 1 - 2 spirals before impacting the ground. The pilot was fatally injured.

As the FAA filed it

THE HELICYCLE STUDENT PILOT WAS FLYING A LEFT PATTERN FOR RUWAY 08. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY PLUNGE TO THE GROUND SOMEWHERE BETWEEN CROSSWIND AND DOWNWIND, COMPLETING 1 - 2 SPIRALS BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED.

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 WPR14FA167Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportReno, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while in the traffic pattern.Apr 13, 2014 · Substantial damage