# NTSB DEN87LA124: Brantly Helicopter 305, N5JM, Golden, CO, May 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1987, 19:30 local (May 14, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Golden, CO
- Coordinates: 39.730476, -105.2108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7305&lon=-105.2108&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 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA124

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, hover
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS PERFORMING HOVER TESTS IN HIS EXPERIMENTAL HELICOPTER AT HIS PRIVATE HELIPAD, LOCATED 60 FEET FROM HIS RESIDENCE. THE PLT REPORTED WINDS AS VARIABLE GUSTING TO 40 KNOTS. THE PLT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED AND A WIND GUST PUSHED THE HELICOPTER INTO THE PORCH. THE THREE MAIN ROTOR BLADES WERE SEVERED AT IMPACT. THE HELICOPTER PIVOTED TO THE LEFT AND SETTLED ON ITS NOSE AD LEFT SIDE IN SHRUBS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5JM-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 1006, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Brantly Helicopter 305
- Registry model: [Brantly 305](https://openairdocs.org/model/brantly-305) (registry code 1440602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1006
- Airframe hours: 519
- Engines: LYCOMING IVO-540-A1B 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Morton, James D., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1986
- Airport: CO66, Helicopter Morton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 485 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870513017639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870513017639A), May 13, 1987: Cessna 305, Golden, CO, Substantial damage. The experimental helicopter was blown into a house. The pilot was hover testing with winds gusting to 40 knots.

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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