# NTSB FTW69D0503: Higgins H-3, N61H, Chattanooga, OK, May 4, 1969

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 4, 1969
- Place: Chattanooga, OK · CHATTANOOGA, OK
- Location: 34.4239° N, 98.6540° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chattanooga, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4239&lon=-98.6540&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1969
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 182754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW69D0503
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69D0503

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1238   69/5/4    CHATTANOOGA,OKLA    HIGGINS H-3         CR-  0  1  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 998
        TIME - 1050                    N61H                PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      TOTAL HOURS, 1 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CHATTANOOGA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- AFTER LIFT OFF AT APRX 10 FT AGL ROTOR BLADE STRUCK PROP GUARD AND PROP.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61H-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N H103, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HIGGINS H-3
- Registry model: [Higgins Gyro-Copter H-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/higgins-gyro-copter-h-3) (registry code 05602R6) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Mercury MK78/75/](https://openairdocs.org/engine/mercury-mk78-75) (registry code 43801, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Gyroplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Chattanooga

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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