# Hughes TH-55A - Type: Aircraft model (FAA registry) - Registry code: 4471004 - Manufacturer (registry): HUGHES - Model: TH-55A - Aircraft type: Rotorcraft - Category: Rotorcraft - Engines: 1 · Reciprocating - Seats: 2 - Weight class: Up to 12,499 lb - Certification: Type certificated - Data sheet: [TCDS 4H12](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/4H12) (OpenAirDocs) - Holder: Schweizer RSG LLC - Registered aircraft: 7 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55a Model codes come from the FAA registry's reference file. ADs are matched to them by model name and maker. ## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs) Matched to this model by model name and maker. Each AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. None matched. ## Registered aircraft (7) - [N1042P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1042P): [Mcalpine David B](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/MCALPINE%20DAVID%20B), [Fort Worth, TX](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/TX/Fort%20Worth), built 1986, S/N 64-18123 - [N16WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16WP): [Hill Ronald D](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/HILL%20RONALD%20D), [Fort Myers, FL](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/FL/Fort%20Myers), S/N 67-16861 - [N30738](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30738): [Roxbury John A Jr](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/ROXBURY%20JOHN%20A%20JR), [Princeton, MN](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/MN/Princeton), S/N 67-16784 - [N3752N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3752N): [Edwards Joseph David](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/EDWARDS%20JOSEPH%20DAVID), [Seattle, WA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/WA/Seattle), built 1965, S/N 64-18087 - [N379MC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N379MC): [Avex Holdings Heli Inc](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/AVEX%20HOLDINGS%20HELI%20INC), [Lewes, DE](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/DE/Lewes), built 1967, S/N 67-18375 - [N5000T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5000T): [Reynolds Darryl G](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/REYNOLDS%20DARRYL%20G), [Wills Point, TX](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/TX/Wills%20Point), S/N 64-18050 - [N7052D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7052D): [Mundell Lola Trustee](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/MUNDELL%20LOLA%20TRUSTEE), [Rosston, OK](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/OK/Rosston), built 1967, S/N 67-16739 ## NTSB investigations (9) 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 CEN14LA537](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA537), Jun 10, 2014: Hughes TH 55A (N5335U), Hudson, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The nonhelicopter-rated pilot’s operation of the helicopter and its subsequent collision with trees during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. - [NTSB ERA13CA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA283), Jun 12, 2013: Hughes TH-55A (N7057H), Morgantown, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate planning which resulted in an encounter with settling with power and descent into terrain during takeoff. - [NTSB CHI04LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA032), Nov 18, 2003: Hughes TH-55A (N9240D), West Lafayette, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fractured cluster fitting resulting in a loss of directional control during initial climb and the improper repair of cluster fitting by unknown personnel. The night conditions were a contributing… - [NTSB MIA98TA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98TA215), Jul 31, 1998: Hughes TH-55A (N998MC), Savannah, GA, destroyed. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, resulting in a forced landing, and an in-flight collision with a ditch. A factor in this accident was a high density altitude. - [NTSB ATL94GA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94GA148), Jul 30, 1994: Hughes TH-55A (N789MC), Savannah, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB MIA94T#A03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94T%23A03), May 14, 1994: Hughes 269A (N5002J), Aripeka, FL, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC92LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA144), Aug 24, 1992: Hughes 269A (N5006M), Nome, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE. - [NTSB ATL90TL#04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90TL%2304), Jun 15, 1990: Hughes TH-55 (N7057K), Brunswick, GA, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW83LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA008), Oct 4, 1982: Hughes TH-55A (N8045F), Balmorhea, TX, substantial damage ## FAA accident and incident reports (11) 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. - [Accident 20140610024459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140610024459A), Jun 10, 2014: Hughes TH-55A (N5335U), Hudson, WI, Substantial damage. During routine surveillance, FAA inspectors from the des moines flight standards district office (dsm FSDO) discovered wreckage from a damaged helicopter… - [Accident 20130612023169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130612023169A), Jun 12, 2013: Hughes TH-55A (N7057H), Morgantown, WV, Substantial damage. Aircraft was operating at an off airport site (gravel parking lot). Pilot stated preflight inspection and engine run up were normal. Pilot initiated takeoff… - [Accident 20031117035459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031117035459A), Nov 17, 2003: Hughes TH55A (N9240D), Lafayette, IN, Destroyed. (-23) Cluster fitting failed in flight. Caused loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Pilot entered autorotation and did late pitch pull to keep spinning to a… - [Accident 19980731028199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980731028199A), Jul 31, 1998: Hughes TH55A (N998MC), Elba Island, GA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot for chatham county mosquito control commission (public aircraft), N998MC a TH-55A helicopter crashed after partial engine power loss. Engine power… - [Accident 19970917027049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970917027049A), Sep 17, 1997: Hughes 269A (N6786M), Tarpon Springs, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on mosquito patrol. 200 ft over water autorated. Engine revived began climb. Skid hit water. (-23) on sept. 17, 1997 about 1103 eastern daylight… - [Accident 19940730047839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940730047839A), Jul 30, 1994: Hughes TH55A (N789MC), Savannah, GA, Substantial damage. Mosquito control spray craft lost power. Autorotated into trees. No engine anomalies except carboned sooty plugs. - [Accident 19940514010819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940514010819A), May 14, 1994: Hughes 269A (N5002J), Aripeka, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power, crashed into a canal. - [Accident 19920823032689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920823032689A), Aug 23, 1992: Hughes 269A (N5006M), Nome, AK, Substantial damage. During photo flight at 5 foot AGL passenger leaned forward on cyclic. Pilot resersed cyclic abruptly. Tail rotor hit - [Incident 19880727037439I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880727037439I), Jul 27, 1988: Hughes TH55A (N5378S), Rutherfordton, NC, Minor damage. Engine lost power. Landed in a woods. Metal found in oil. - [Accident 19830228005589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830228005589A), Feb 28, 1983: Hughes 269A (N42426), Phoenix, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Operated in high risk height velocity and low RPM in a hover. Pitched over rotor strike and separation, then crash. - [Accident 19821004050929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821004050929A), Oct 4, 1982: Hughes TH55A (N8045F), Balmorhea, TX, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Struck a tree on forced landing. Engine had numerous maintenance problems. ## Service difficulty reports (2) As reported by operators and repair stations, by the model named in the report. - [SDR 97ZZZX4341](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/97ZZZX4341), Sep 19, 1997: RING. MISINSTALLED. DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, DISCOVERED THE DROOP STOP RING WAS PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED INVERTED. THE MAIN ROTOR HEAD WAS ASSEMBLED THREE YEARS AND 60 HOURS PRIOR - [SDR 96ZZZX3911](https://openairdocs.org/sdr/96ZZZX3911), Jul 17, 1996: OIL SEAL. FAILED. DURING TRAINING FLIGHT, ENGINE ROUGHNESS 'FELT' IN-FLIGHT; FOUND MAGNETO POINTS SATURATED WITH OIL. REPLACED MAGNETO WITH REBUILT UNIT. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.