# NTSB GAA17CA555: Godwin Jeff E Safari, N186KW, Fayetteville, NC, September 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2017, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Fayetteville, NC - Coordinates: 34.991111, -78.881942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9911&lon=-78.8819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA555 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96092/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96092 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA555 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover pedal turn. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Godwin Jeff E SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=056284D), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Godwin Jeff E SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056284D), [All aircraft, 9,295 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) (defining event); cases with it: [Godwin Jeff E SAFARI, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056284D), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that the purpose of his flight was to practice hover taxi. During a right pedal turn, about 3 to 5 ft above the ground, the helicopter rolled onto its side. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that the purpose of his flight was to practice hover taxi. During a peddle turn to the right, about 3 to 5 ft above the ground, the helicopter rolled onto its side. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N186KW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N186KW-2019-04-17), registration cancelled 2019-04-17, S/N 2176, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Godwin Jeff E Safari - Registry model: [Godwin Jeff E SAFARI](https://openairdocs.org/model/godwin-jeff-e-safari) (registry code 056284D) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: 2176 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 132.9 - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, February 1, 2017 - Departed: FAY, Fayetteville, NC - Destination: FAY, Fayetteville, NC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: FAY, Fayetteville Rgnl/Grannis Fiel - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private, student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 2, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,300 total, 35 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KFAY ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96092. 912 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 706 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460802&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Student Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460803&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Student%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%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. --- 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.