# NTSB ERA13CA283: Hughes TH-55A, N7057H, Morgantown, WV, June 12, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 12, 2013, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Morgantown, WV
- Coordinates: 39.606388, -80.03083
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6064&lon=-80.0308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87181/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87181
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA283

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate planning which resulted in an encounter with settling with power and descent into terrain during takeoff.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=4471004), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=4471004), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4471004), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting to reposition the helicopter from an off-airport site in advance of an approaching storm. Following an uneventful preflight inspection and engine start, the pilot climbed the helicopter into a hover and turned toward his intended departure path. He then pushed the cyclic control forward and increased the collective pitch in order to clear some approaching trees. The pilot then realized that “appropriate power” was not available, and turned right in order to avoid the trees. The helicopter subsequently settled with power and impacted the brush below, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter, nor were any discovered during a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine. The pilot additionally stated that the accident could have been prevented with “better situational awareness.”

## Factual narrative

The pilot was attempting to reposition the helicopter from an off-airport site in advance of an approaching storm. Following an uneventful preflight inspection and engine start, the pilot climbed the helicopter into a hover and turned toward his intended departure path. He then pushed the cyclic control forward and increased the collective pitch in order to clear some approaching trees. The pilot then realized that “appropriate power” was not available, and turned right in order to avoid the trees. The helicopter subsequently settled with power and impacted the brush below, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter, nor were any discovered during a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. The pilot additionally stated that the accident could have been prevented with “better situational awareness.”

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7057H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7057H-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N 67-15399, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES TH-55A
- Registry model: [Hughes TH-55A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55a) (registry code 4471004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360-B1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-b1a) (registry code 41887, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 67-15399
- Airframe hours: 4217
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: DAH Aircraft LLC
- Registered owner: DAH Aircraft LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2012
- Departed: NONE, Morgantown, WV
- Destination: 79D, Philippi, WV
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 281 total, 228 in this make and model, 255 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: MGW, 6 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 20130612023169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130612023169A), Jun 12, 2013: Hughes TH-55A, Morgantown, WV, Substantial damage. Aircraft was operating at an off airport site (gravel parking lot). Pilot stated preflight inspection and engine run up were normal. Pilot initiated takeoff…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87181. 8.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Interview Summary (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396255&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Redacted.PDF
- Summary of Correspondence with FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396268&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Helicopter at Accident Site (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396256&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Helicopter%20at%20Accident%20Site%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Helicopter From Left (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396257&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Helicopter%20From%20Left%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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