# NTSB ERA19CA147: Gaskins Safari 400, N104CV, Gallatin, TN, April 10, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 10, 2019, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Gallatin, TN
- Coordinates: 36.375, -86.408332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3750&lon=-86.4083&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 20, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19CA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99244/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99244
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19CA147

## Probable cause

The pilot/owner's improper decision to make a right turn instead of terminating the approach to a hover and his subsequent loss of helicopter control while attempting to land on sloping terrain, which resulted in a roll-over.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gaskins Abe B SAFARI 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05634VA), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gaskins Abe B SAFARI 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05634VA), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Gaskins Abe B SAFARI 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05634VA), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Gaskins Abe B SAFARI 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=05634VA), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Gaskins Abe B SAFARI 400, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=05634VA), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot, who was also the owner of the helicopter, stated that the helicopter was at or near its maximum allowable gross weight and required maximum engine power to hover in ground effect when he initiated the flight. After a short local flight, the pilot completed an approach to a parallel taxiway with the helicopter in ground effect. The pilot reported that, instead of terminating the approach to a hover, he performed a 180° pedal turn and initiated a teardrop-shaped turn to reverse course, which resulted in the loss of ground effect. As the helicopter turned right below the effective translational lift airspeed, the terrain sloped away from beneath the helicopter, and once in an out-of-ground effect, higher power-demand condition, the engine could not produce the necessary power to maintain full operating rpm. The helicopter then descended below the height of the taxiway. The pilot attempted to perform a landing on rough, sloping terrain, but the helicopter's right skid hit a mound of dirt, which resulted in a dynamic rollover, and it then came to rest on its side.

## Factual narrative

The pilot/owner stated that the helicopter was at or near its maximum allowable gross weight and required maximum engine power to hover in ground effect. After a brief local flight, the pilot completed an approach to the parallel taxiway beyond the parking area. Instead of performing a 180°pedal turn over the pavement to reverse course, the pilot initiated a teardrop-shaped turn. The helicopter turned to the right below effective translational lift (ETL) airspeed, the terrain sloped away from beneath the helicopter and once in an out-of-ground effect, higher power-demand condition, the engine could not produce the necessary power to maintain full operating rpm. The helicopter then descended below the height of the taxiway, the pilot attempted to perform a landing to rough, sloping terrain, and the helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its side. Following the accident, the pilot stated that during the accident the helicopter was performing "beautifully." He provided a comprehensive review of the events and suggested that better preflight and inflight performance planning, and inflight power management would have prevented the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N104CV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N104CV), registered now, S/N CH1503, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GASKINS SAFARI 400 (No Series)
- Registry model: [Gaskins Abe B SAFARI 400](https://openairdocs.org/model/gaskins-abe-b-safari-400) (registry code 05634VA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Superior XP-O-360A3HY3](https://openairdocs.org/engine/superior-xp-o-360a3hy3) (registry code 59288, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter, amateur-built
- Serial number: CH1503
- Year built: 2016
- Airframe hours: 211
- Engines: Superior XP-O-360-A3HY 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, April 18, 2018, 75 hours before
- Departed: XNX, Gallatin, TN
- Destination: XNX, Gallatin, TN
- Airport: XNX, Sumner County Rgnl, runway 17, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,200 total, 160 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: KXNX

## 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 20190410022429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190410022429A), Apr 10, 2019: Gaskins Abe B SAFARI 400, Gallatin, TN, Substantial damage. N104CV departed kxnx on 04/10/2019 at approximately 1000 with one pilot and one passenger. The pilot in command (PIC) stated that he noticed during takeoff…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99244. 1.6 MB in all.

- Memo for Record - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Wreckage Diagrams (item 4, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477586&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagrams-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 887 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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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