Saturday, March 07, 2020

Loss of Control in Flight: Mosquito XE, N849GF; accident occurred September 23, 2019 in Kershaw, South Carolina

View of damaged main rotor blades.

View of damaged tailboom.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office;  West Columbia, South Columbia 

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N849GF

Location: Kershaw, SC
Accident Number: GAA19CA567
Date & Time: 09/23/2019, 1100 EDT
Registration: N849GF
Aircraft: GEORGE W. FELIX MOSQUITO
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

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.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/30/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 46 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0 hours (Total, this make and model), 40 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: GEORGE W. FELIX
Registration: N849GF
Model/Series: MOSQUITO XE
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2018
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental
Serial Number: MXE1339J18B
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Condition
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 610 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 0.8 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Zanzottera
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: MZ202
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 60 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCDN, 302 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1055 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 188°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Kershaw, SC
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Kershaw, SC
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1100 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 34.496111, -80.531944 (est)

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