ATL97LA114

The pilot stated he was returning to his private heliport after refueling at a local airport. As he approached the heliport, he flew over a local lake to determine the wind direction. He stated he made a normal approach. According to the pilot, as the helicopter approached the ground, a 'right quartering tailwind' was encountered. The helicopter began to 'sink rapidly,' tail rotor authority was lost, and the pilot lost directional control of the helicopter. In order to prevent a spin, the pilot turned off the ignition and allowed the helicopter to drop to the ground.

On August 10, 1997, at 1713 eastern daylight time, a Hughes TH55-269A, N7050D, experienced a loss of control while landing at a private heliport 10 miles south of Morristown Airport, Morristown, Tennessee. The helicopter was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. The prevailing weather was visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter incurred substantial damage. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated at 1645 from Morristown Airport, Morristown, Tennessee.

The pilot stated this flight was to the local airport to purchase fuel. The pilot departed Jacques Heliport, flew to Morristown Airport, and was returning to Jacques Heliport. According to the pilot, he looked at a local lake before landing, in order to determine the wind direction at the uncontrolled field. His approach was normal. When he was close to the ground, the helicopter "encountered what seemed to be a right quartering tailwind", and it began to "sink rapidly". According to the pilot, he lost directional control of the helicopter. In order to prevent a spin, the pilot stated he turned the ignition off, and the helicopter dropped to the ground. There was damage to the helicopter's boom, rotor blades, and left skid.