McDonnell Douglas 500E N551CP

Summary

On 13 April 1998 at about 14:40 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 500E registered N551CP was involved in an accident near Columbus, Ohio, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 April 1998 at 14:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Coordinates

40.0909, -82.9791

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 500E

Registration

N551CP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Police Heliport → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC98GA093

Nobody was injured.

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). Related factors were: lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing; and high obstructions in the forced landing area.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After loss of engine power at about 700 feet above ground level, the pilot entered an autorotation to a street. To avoid wires during the autorotation, the pilot flared early, trading speed for altitude to avoid the wires. After passing over the wires, the helicopter began settling. The pilot increased collective, but the helicopter touched down hard. The main rotor system then flexed downward and severed the tail boom. Examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no anomaly. Also, an operational check of the engine was made, and it performed within operational specifications.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.