# NTSB ATL01TA081: Hughes TH-55, N7053X, Midway, GA, July 9, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 9, 2001, 13:11 local (17:11 UTC)
- Place: Midway, GA
- Coordinates: 31.800392, -81.420074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8004&lon=-81.4201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA - Atlanta FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01TA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01TA081

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factoe was the lack of suitable terrain upon which an emergency landing could be made, which resulted in a rollover upon touchdown in a marshy area.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The helicopter lost engine power while spraying insecticide 300 feet above the ground. The pilot was unable to restore power and initiated an emergency descent and autorotative flare.  At touchdown, the helicopter leaned to the right in a marshy area and rolled onto its side. The main rotor blades struck the ground. The pilot stated the helicopter had been refueled prior to the flight. Examination of the wreckage revealed the airframe and main rotor blades were bent. The helicopter sustained saltwater submersion damage. There was no evidence of mechanical malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On July 9, 2001, at 1311 eastern daylight time, a Hughes TH-55 helicopter, N7053X, registered to Liberty County Commissioners, collided into a marsh following a loss of engine power while spraying insecticide in Midway, Georgia. The helicopter was operated under the provisions of Public Use and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local  flight. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Liberty County Airport in Hinesville, Georgia, at 1230.

According to the pilot, while spraying for mosquitoes 300 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. Attempts to restore power were not successful, and the pilot initiated an emergency descent and autorotative flare. At touchdown, the helicopter leaned to the right in a marshy area and rolled onto its side. The main rotor blades struck the ground. The pilot stated the helicopter had been refueled prior to the flight.

Examination of the wreckage revealed the airframe and main rotor blades were bent. The helicopter sustained saltwater submersion damage prior to  the recovery effort. The engine displayed saltwater damage, and saltwater ran from the cylinders when the spark plugs were removed. Attempts to run the engine produced about 10 seconds of operation. There was no evidence of mechanical malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7053X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7053X-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 67-16823 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes TH-55
- Registry model: [Hughes TH-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55) (registry code 4471002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 67-16823
- Airframe hours: 13000
- Engines: Lycoming HI0-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Public use
- Registered owner: Liberty County Commissioners
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2001, 49.2 hours before
- Departed: 2J2, Hinesville, GA
- Destination: 2J2, Hinesville, GA
- Airport: 2J2, Liberty County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 20, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 2,450 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 116 nm away

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.

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