# NTSB ATL05CA089: Hughes TH-55, N681BC, Cornelia, GA, May 26, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2005, 16:44 local (20:44 UTC) - Place: Cornelia, GA - Coordinates: 34.505554, -83.554725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5056&lon=-83.5547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61693 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61693/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61693 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate object clearance, which resulted in the in-flight collision with terrain, and the subsequent rollover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - aborted - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - high vegetation - Roll over, other ## Analysis According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to film the construction of a local building. The helicopter was brought to a hover between 15-20 feet off of the ground in the parking lot of the building. The helicopter was air taxied to a grass field approximately 100 feet away. As the pilot began his takeoff run he approached a row of trees that were approximately 50 feet tall and was unable to gain altitude. He initiated a quick stop maneuver, and the tail rotor became entangled in high vegetation. The helicopter began to spin to the right, and collided with the ground and rolled over onto the left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed, that the tail boom separated from the fuselage, all main rotor blades were bent and damaged. The left skid was broken and loose. Review of the FAA rotorcraft flying handbook states: Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop) should be conducted at an altitude high enough to avoid danger to the tail rotor during flare, but low enough to stay out of the crosshatched or shaded areas of the height/ velocity diagram throughout the maneuver. Review of the FAA rotorcraft flying handbook states: Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop) should be conducted at an altitude high enough to avoid danger to the tail rotor during flare. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 2005, at 1644 eastern daylight time, a Hughes TH-55, N681BC, registered and operated by private owner, collided with the ground during a quick stop maneuver Cornelia, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot, and passenger was not injured. The flight originated from a field in Cornelia, Georgia on May 26, 2005, at 1630. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to videotape the construction of a local building. After the pilot loaded and secured the passenger in the helicopter, the pilot elected to position the helicopter to a grassy area for takeoff. The helicopter was brought to a hover between 15-20 feet off of the ground in the parking lot of the building. The helicopter was air taxied to a grassed field approximately 400 feet away. As the pilot began his takeoff run he approached a row of trees that were approximately 50 feet tall. When the pilot realized that the helicopter was not high enough to clear the tree line, he executed a quick stop maneuver. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter, the tail rotor became entangled in high vegetation. The helicopter began to spin to the right, and collided with ground, and rolled over onto the left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed, that the tail boom separated from the fuselage, all main rotor blades were bent and damaged. The left skid was broken and loose. Review of weather data revealed light winds from the west and a temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit with a density altitude of 3274 feet. Review of the FAA rotorcraft flying handbook states: Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop) should be conducted at an altitude high enough to avoid danger to the tail rotor during flare, but low enough to stay out of the crosshatched or shaded areas of the height/ velocity diagram throughout the maneuver. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N681BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N681BC-2007-09-18), registration cancelled 2007-09-18, S/N 67-16701 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes TH-55 - Registry model: [Hughes TH-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55) (registry code 4471002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 380808 - Airframe hours: 13534 - Engines: Lycoming 180 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barry Church - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2005, 229 hours before - Departed: Cornelia, GA - Destination: Cornelia, GA - Airport: AJR, Habersham County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: GVL, 19 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050526012229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050526012229A), May 26, 2005: Hughes TH55, Cornelia, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted to climb over a row of trees from a forward hover with fully loaded helicopter. Gvl automated METAR reported light winds from the west… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2006, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61693. 291 KB in all. - Statements (item 1, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466864&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statements-Master.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40233213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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. --- 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.