The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Nashville, Tennessee
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Gallatin, Tennessee
Accident Number: ERA22LA106
Date and Time: January 12, 2022, 12:40 Local
Registration: N32CM
Aircraft: CHARLES C MENGER JR SAFARI 400
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abrupt maneuver
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Flight test
Analysis
According to the pilot, he was performing the first flight after a condition inspection. He put the helicopter into a hover, noted the “throttle locked up and [the helicopter] got away” from him. The helicopter rolled onto its side and impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom. Furthermore, he reported an overspeed and “hard vibration” prior to the rollover. A post-accident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of any pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, the throttle governor was bench tested with no anomalies noted.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A reported stuck throttle for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations and subsequent loss of control during hover.
Findings
Aircraft Power lever - Malfunction
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Taxi Abrupt maneuver (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 67,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Unknown
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: December 1, 2020
Occupational Pilot: UNK
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CHARLES C MENGER JR
Registration: N32CM
Model/Series: SAFARI 400
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2018
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: CM001
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
Condition Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1
Airframe Total Time: 85 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT:
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: XNX,583 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 12:35 Local
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 17 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 210°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.26 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C / -5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Gallatin, TN
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Gallatin, TN
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: MUSIC CITY EXEC XNX
Runway Surface Type:
Airport Elevation: 583 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: None
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: 36.376971,-86.409559 (est)
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