# NTSB ERA09CA432: Bingham Chuck Rotorway 1, N267BC, Atlanta, GA, July 31, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 31, 2009, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 34.007778, -84.591392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0078&lon=-84.5914&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA432
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74416/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74416
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA432

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while hovering in gusting wind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Bingham Chuck ROTORWAY 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05611UF), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bingham Chuck ROTORWAY 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05611UF), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bingham Chuck ROTORWAY 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05611UF), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bingham Chuck ROTORWAY 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05611UF), [All aircraft, 5,010 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bingham Chuck ROTORWAY 162-F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05611UF), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After lifting off, the pilot stated that he encountered a strong gust of wind from the west while making a hovering turn to the east. The main rotor blades contacted the mid-field windsock pole, and the helicopter collided with the ground. The pilot suffered minor injuries, and the passenger was unharmed. The helicopter received substantial damage. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems with the helicopter before the accident.

## Factual narrative

After lifting off, the pilot stated that he encountered a strong gust of wind from the west while making a hovering turn to the east. The main rotor blades contacted the mid-field windsock pole, and the helicopter collided with the ground. The pilot suffered minor injuries, and the passenger was unharmed. The helicopter received substantial damage. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical problems with the helicopter before the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N267BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N267BC-2017-12-27), registration cancelled 2017-12-27, S/N 6523, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BINGHAM CHUCK ROTORWAY 1
- Registry model: [Bingham Chuck ROTORWAY 162-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/bingham-chuck-rotorway-162-f) (registry code 05611UF) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: 6523
- Airframe hours: 81
- Engines: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: June 2, 2009
- Departed: RYY, Atlanta, GA
- Destination: RYY, Atlanta, GA
- Airport: RYY, Cobb County Airport, runway 27, 6,305 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 3,060 total, 463 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KRYY

## 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 20090731049239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090731049239A), Jul 31, 2009: Bingham Chu ROTORWAY 16, Kennesaw, GA, Substantial damage. Helicopter was hovering/hover taxiing between ramp area and taxiway. Due to wind/wind gust helicopter drifted into wind sock area and rotor contacted wind sock…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74416. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 910 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- KRYY Weather (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=KRYY%20Weather-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.

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