# NTSB GAA18CA250: Michael R Alexander Mosquito XE, N725JC, Iron Station, NC, May 2, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 2, 2018, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Iron Station, NC - Coordinates: 35.439998, -81.120002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4400&lon=-81.1200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97166 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97166/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97166 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA250 ## Probable cause The noncertificated pilot’s decision to practice hovering the helicopter in a confined space, which resulted in the tail rotor striking a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=05631Z5), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05631Z5), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05631Z5), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=05631Z5), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/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 lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=05631Z5), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05631Z5), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot reported that, while practicing hovering in his yard, the experimental amateur-built helicopter struck a tree with the tail rotor. He added that, the next thing he knew the helicopter developed "a huge vibration suddenly and [he] had no heading control." Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter was destroyed by a postcrash fire. The pilot reported in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form (6120.1) that he should have taken more dual instruction and that he should have chosen a more open area for hover practice. ## Factual narrative The noncertificated pilot reported that, while practicing hovering the helicopter in his yard, the experimental amateur-built helicopter struck a tree with the tail rotor. He added that, the next thing he knew the helicopter developed "a huge vibration suddenly and [he] had no heading control". Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter was destroyed by a post-crash fire. The pilot reported in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form (6120.1) that he should have taken more dual instruction, and he should have chosen a more open area for hover practice. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N725JC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N725JC-2019-05-04), registration cancelled 2019-05-04, S/N MXE 1123110B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MICHAEL R ALEXANDER MOSQUITO XE (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE](https://openairdocs.org/model/michael-r-alexander-mosquito-xe) (registry code 05631Z5) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: MXE 1123110B - Year built: 2013 - Airframe hours: 350 - Engines: Intec 800 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2018 - Departed: Iron Station, NC - Destination: Iron Station, NC - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; medical: sport pilot; seat: single; restraint: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KIPJ, 3 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 20180502004449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180502004449A), May 2, 2018: Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE, Iron Station, NC, Destroyed. Rotorcraft operator was oerating aircraft as an ultralight-subject rotorcraft does not meet ultralight compliance. Operator had 3.1 total hours of instruction… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97166. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 915 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464617&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 689 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.