Helo Werks HX-1 WASP N636WP
6 May 2006 · Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 6 May 2006 at about 18:00 local time, a Helo Werks HX-1 WASP registered N636WP was involved in an accident near Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States
- Nearest airport
- Hampton Roads Executive (PVG)
- Coordinates
- 36.7800, -76.4489
- Aircraft
- Helo Werks HX-1 WASP
- Registration
- N636WP
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Flight Test
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Hampton Roads → Hampton Roads
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC06CA110
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The inadvertent activation of the helicopter manufacturer's improperly located, unguarded fuel shutoff switch.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
During a flight test of the experimental helicopter, the pilot inadvertently shut off the fuel supply to the engine while flaring to land, approximately 15 feet above the ground. The helicopter impacted the ground tail first, the landing gear cross tubes collapsed and broke at the fuselage attach points, and the main rotor struck the tail boom. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the fuel shut off switch was unguarded and mounted on the cyclic.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Apr 2006 | Maule M-5-210C | Linville, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jun 2006 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C | Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Aug 2006 | Piper PA 38-112 | Chesapeake, Virginia, United States | Bishop Aviation LLC | No injuries | - |
| 13 May 2006 | Embraer 145LR | Winchester, Virginia, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 4 Sep 2006 | Cessna 150G | Penhook, Virginia, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 22 Oct 2006 | Bishop BAKENG DUCE | South Boston, Virginia, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |