# NTSB GAA19CA168: Hughes TH 55, N8045H, Keene, NH, March 13, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 13, 2019, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Keene, NH - Coordinates: 42.898334, -72.270835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8983&lon=-72.2708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99124 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99124/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99124 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA168 ## Probable cause The helicopter’s collision with a bird during cruise flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=4471002), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=4471002), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=4471002), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, while en route, about 2 miles northeast from his destination airport and about 500 ft above ground level and 60 knots, he heard a loud "thud" from a possible bird strike, and the upper right windscreen/canopy shattered, with pieces going into the main rotor disc and cabin. He continued to the airport and landed without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that while enroute, about 2 miles northeast from his destination airport, about 500 feet above ground level and 60 knots, he heard a loud "thud" from a possible bird strike and the upper right windscreen/canopy shattered, with pieces going into the main rotor disc and cabin. He continued to the airport and landed without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot, a certificated Airframe and Powerplant mechanic with Inspection Authorization, reported that after his examination, the main rotor blade damages were beyond the manufacturer's guidance and repair limits. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8045H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8045H), registered now, S/N 65-18240 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes TH 55 (269A) - Registry model: [Hughes TH-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55) (registry code 4471002) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 65-18240 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 5317.2 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 2018 - Departed: Keene, NH - Destination: EEN, Keene, NH - Airport: EEN, Dillant-Hopkins, runway 32, 4,001 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 6, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 550 total, 25 in this make and model, 415 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 7.1 in the last 30 days, 1.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KLEB, 19 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 20190313001269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190313001269A), Mar 13, 2019: Hughes TH-55, Keene, NH, Substantial damage. Pilot in cruise flight at 500 feet AGL (helicopter)had a bird strike about two miles north of the Keene (een) dillant-hopkins airport in NH. A 2' by 2'… ## Other investigations on N8045H (1) 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. - [NTSB IAD98LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA057), May 12, 1998: Hughes 269A (N8045H), Alexandria Bay, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to maintain rotor rpm during practice autorotation, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99124. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.