# NTSB CHI06CA266: MD Helicopters 369FF, N530FF, Port Clinton, OH, September 16, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 16, 2006, 10:41 local (14:41 UTC)
- Place: Port Clinton, OH
- Coordinates: 41.516387, -82.868614
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5164&lon=-82.8686&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Cleveland, OH, FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA266

## Probable cause

The pilot not maintaining clearance from the water during the survey flight.  A factor was the low altitude the survey flight was flown at.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, other
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water
  - altitude - low (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The experimental research and developmental helicopter's left boom impacted water during an offshore low level survey flight.  The pilot's accident report stated, "While flying an easterly course line at approximately 25 knots over calm surface conditions, a course correction to the left was initiated with 2 degrees of left bank angle.  This resulted in the left boom tip touching the surface of the water.  The nose of the helicopter pitched down causing the main rotor blades to strike the water.  The helicopter became inverted, sinking immediately. The elapsed time between the boom tip contacting the water and the helicopter becoming inverted was approximately three seconds."  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions in reference to the survey flight.

## Factual narrative

The experimental research and developmental helicopter's left boom impacted water during an offshore low level survey flight.  The pilot's accident report stated, "While flying an Easterly course line at approximately 25 knots over calm surface conditions, a course correction to the left was initiated with 2 degrees of left bank angle.  This resulted in the left boom tip touching the surface of the water.  The nose of the helicopter pitched down causing the main rotor blades to strike the water.  The helicopter became inverted, sinking immediately. The elapsed time between the boom tip contacting the water and the helicopter becoming inverted was approximately three seconds."  The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions in reference to the survey flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N530FF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N530FF), registered now, S/N 0050FF, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MD Helicopters Inc. 369FF
- Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters 369FF](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-369ff) (registry code 4470709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C30](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c30) (registry code 54023, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0140FF
- Airframe hours: 2819
- Engines: Rolls-Royce 250-C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sky Flight LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2006
- Departed: PCW, PORT CLINTON, OH
- Destination: PCW
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 12,650 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 12,650 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observed at: ONZ

## 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 20060916026839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060916026839A), Sep 16, 2006: Hughes 369FF, Garrettsville, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Helicopter doing low level aerial mapping of unexploded ordinance on government contract. Task is to fly a precise centerline over mapping area at an…

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.