Cotton Galen M HELICYCLE N555CX

Summary

On 30 December 2008 at about 18:55 local time, a Cotton Galen M HELICYCLE registered N555CX, operated by Cotton Galen M, was involved in an accident near Houston, Texas, United States. One person was 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

30 December 2008 at 18:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Houston, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

David Wayne Hooks Memorial (DWH)

Coordinates

30.0569, -95.5517

Aircraft

Cotton Galen M HELICYCLE

Registration

N555CX

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Cotton Galen M

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Houston → Weiser Airpark

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09LA113

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power during a hover landing which resulted in a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed in his single-engine experimental helicopter in calm wind conditions with a hover transition approximately six feet above the ground when the helicopter yawed to the left and the engine surged. He immediately began to maneuver back toward level ground but the engine stopped producing power and continued to yaw to the left. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and directional control and subsequently contacted the ground with the nose of the helicopter pointed approximately 35 degrees to the left of the direction of flight. The right skid collapsed upon impact and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.