# Accident 20190313001269A: Hughes TH-55, Keene, NH, March 13, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 13, 2019, 16:00 local time
- Place: Keene, NH
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.8983° N, 72.2708° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8983&lon=-72.2708&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8045H, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8045H) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes TH-55 (registry code 4471002, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES TH-55
- Reported engine: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 550 total, 25 in this make and model, 44 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA19CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA168) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190313001269A

## Narrative

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

PILOT IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 500 FEET AGL (HELICOPTER)HAD A BIRD STRIKE ABOUT TWO MILES NORTH OF THE KEENE (EEN) DILLANT-HOPKINS AIRPORT IN  NH.  A 2' BY 2' PLEXIGLASS PANEL FROM THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER SEPARATED FROM THE CANOPY AND WENT UP INTO THE ROTOR BLADES. PILOT MADE AN UNEVENFUL LANDING AT EEN. FOLLOWING DAY REVEALED DENTS AS MUCH AS .060 INCHES DEEP IN TWO OF THE THREE ROTOR BLADES.

## 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 GAA19CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA168), Mar 13, 2019: Hughes TH 55 (N8045H), Keene, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The helicopter’s collision with a bird during cruise flight.

## Other reports on N8045H (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20240601009079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240601009079A), Jun 1, 2024: Hughes TH-55 (N8045H), Danbury, NH, Destroyed. On 06/01/2024 at approximately 1248 local a TH55 helicopter departed klci airport enroute to a local residence in Danbury NH on a solo training flight. The…
- [Accident 19980511037189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980511037189A), May 11, 1998: Hughes TH55 (N8045H), Alexandria Bay, NY, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot was receiving instruction from a flight instructor for the purpose of practicing touchdown autorotations towards attaining his instructor…

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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