# NTSB ERA09LA107: Moore David DM-1, N75EW, Salters, SC, December 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 25, 2008, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Salters, SC - Coordinates: 33.502223, -79.942497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5022&lon=-79.9425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Columbia FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73137 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73137/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA107 ## Probable cause A hard landing following an autorotation that resulted from the separation of the red main rotor blade cap that led to the uncontrolled movement of the cyclic, autorotation and a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Main rotor system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Moore David DM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/cases.md?model=05616IX), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046200/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Moore David DM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=05616IX), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Maintenance/inspections: scheduled maint checks](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010520): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not inspected; cases with it: [Moore David DM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010520/cases.md?model=05616IX), [All aircraft, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Moore David DM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=05616IX), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Moore David DM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05616IX), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Moore David DM-1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05616IX), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while maneuvering at 800 feet above ground level, the homebuilt helicopter pitched up and slowed to 40 knots. He entered autorotation and the helicopter impacted the ground. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the end cap of the main rotor blade was missing. The inspector attributed the separation to excessive blade bowing due to taking off above maximum gross weight, resulting in a shift in the rotor blades center of gravity. The inspector also stated that the change of the blade's center of gravity created or aggravated the main rotor blades' twisting and balance reactance to such a level that the end cap of the red blade detached from the blade. This blade cap departure created an imbalance of the rotor blade that led to an out of balance and track condition of the main rotor resulting in a pitch up of the aircraft and loss of longitudinal control. Review of the helicopter logbook revealed the condition inspection was 8 months past the required 12-month inspection interval. ## Factual narrative On December 25, 2008, at about 1450 eastern standard time, an amateur built DM-1 helicopter, N75EW, lost control in flight and made a forced landing near Salters, South Carolina. The certificated commercial pilot and the passenger received minor injuries. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during a local flight he picked up his brother, serviced the helicopter with a full load of fuel, and then flew for approximately 3 hours. He said that while maneuvering he climbed to an altitude of 800 feet above ground level, and the helicopter, without command input, pitched up and slowed to 40 knots. He tried forward cyclic to lower the pitch attitude but was unsuccessful. He attempted to turn left and right but was, again, unsuccessful. He entered an autorotation and began to feel extreme lateral oscillations of the cyclic control. He continued by saying that the autorotation was almost vertical with no forward airspeed and in a nose high attitude. The helicopter impacted the ground and the pilot was ejected. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the end cap of the main rotor blade was missing. The inspector attributed the separation to an excessive blade bowing due to taking off above maximum gross weight, resulting in a shift in the rotor blades center of gravity. "The change of the blade's center of gravity created or aggravated the main rotor blades twisting and balance reactance to such a level that the end cap of the red blade detached from the blade. This blade cap departure created a radical shift in balance and drag of the rotor blade causing an out of balance and track condition of the main rotor resulting in a pitch up of the aircraft and lack of longitudinal control." Review of helicopter logbook revealed the conditions inspection was 8 months past the required 12-month inspection interval. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75EW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75EW), registered now, S/N 1957, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOORE DAVID DM-1 - Registry model: [Moore David DM-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/moore-david-dm-1) (registry code 05616IX) (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: 1957 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CKI, Kingstree, SC - Destination: NONE, Salters, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Observed at: CKI, 15 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 20081225856819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081225856819A), Dec 25, 2008: Moore DM1, Salters, SC, Destroyed. (-23) On December 25, 2008, at approximately 1450 local time, an experimental amateur built helicopter owned by haddock flying service of Salters, SC was being… 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.