# NTSB ATL98LA021: Hughes TH-55, N74914, Bushnell, FL, December 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 9, 1997, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Bushnell, FL - Coordinates: 28.660097, -82.109207 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6601&lon=-82.1092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3953 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3953/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA021 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees during a hover. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, hover - object - tree(s) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The student pilot stated he drifted too close to trees during a hover, and the rotor blades stuck the tree limbs. The helicopter then crashed onto a road. The student pilot stated that he was showing off for his daughter, who was on the ground, and not paying attention to the tree limbs. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 1997, about 1530 eastern standard time, a Hughes TH-55 helicopter, N74914, collided with trees while in a hover near Bushnell, Florida. The helicopter was operated by the student pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the solo, instructional flight. The pilot was not injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Brooksville, Florida, about 1330, on the same day. The student pilot stated he drifted too close to the trees, and the rotor blades struck the tree limbs. According to the flight instructor, the student allowed the helicopter to drift with wind and contacted trees with the main rotor blades. The helicopter then crashed onto a road. The FAA inspector stated the pilot said he was showing off for his daughter, who was on the ground, and not paying attention to the tree limbs. After the accident, the pilot received counseling in flight safety and situational awareness. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74914](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74914), registered now, S/N 67-15442, built 1968 (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: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 67-15442 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: C E Parish - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BKV, BROOKSVILLE, FL - Destination: BKV, FL - Airport: BKV, Hernando County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 46 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BKV, 20 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 19971209037869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971209037869A), Dec 9, 1997: Bushenll, FL, Substantial damage. Student pilot drifted, contacting trees with main rotor blades, then collided with road. (-23) on Tuesday, 9 December 1997, at 16:30 EST, Mr. Cyril elmo… ## Other investigations on N74914 (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 ERA12CA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA357), May 19, 2012: Hughes TH-55 (N74914), Pittsfield, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during an encounter with loss of tail rotor effectiveness. 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.