# NTSB GAA19CA567: George W. Felix Mosquito, N849GF, Kershaw, SC, September 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 23, 2019, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Kershaw, SC - Coordinates: 34.496112, -80.531944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4961&lon=-80.5319&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100329 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA567 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100329/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100329 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA567 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper cyclic input during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control, the skid impacting the ground, and a subsequent dynamic rollover. ## 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: [George W Felix MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05638PW), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [George W Felix MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05638PW), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [George W Felix MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05638PW), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [George W Felix MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05638PW), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [George W Felix MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05638PW), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [George W Felix MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=05638PW), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [George W Felix MOSQUITO XE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05638PW), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff from his private cement pad and about 2 ft above ground level, the helicopter "darted forward and left." He attempted to correct the drift, but the helicopter began "swinging back and forth," the left skid impacted the ground, and the helicopter then dynamically rolled over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and tailboom. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The student added that the he "did not have the cyclic in a neutral position when he lifted off" and that the accident flight was his first flight in the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The student pilot of a single seat helicopter reported that, shortly after takeoff from his private cement pad, and about 2 ft above the ground, the helicopter "darted forward and left." He attempted to correct the drift, but the helicopter began "swinging back and forth", the left skid impacted the ground, the helicopter dynamically rolled over, and impacted the terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and tailboom. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student pilot added that the he "did not have the cyclic in a neutral position when he lifted off." The student pilot further reported that the accident flight was his first flight in the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N849GF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N849GF), registered now, S/N MXE1339J18B, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GEORGE W. FELIX MOSQUITO (XE) - Registry model: [George W Felix MOSQUITO XE](https://openairdocs.org/model/george-w-felix-mosquito-xe) (registry code 05638PW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, amateur-built - Serial number: MXE1339J18B - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 0.8 - Engines: Zanzottera MZ202 60 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Kershaw, SC - Destination: Kershaw, SC - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 46 total, 0 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Observed at: KCDN, 13 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 22, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100329. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 825 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480153&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.