McDonnell Douglas 600N N607BP

Summary

On 7 December 2015 at about 18:30 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 600N registered N607BP was involved in an accident near Angleton, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 December 2015 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Angleton, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.1086, -95.4619

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 600N

Registration

N607BP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Houston → Angleton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN16LA058

2 people had minor injuries.

A loss of control while hovering for reasons that could not be determined, because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Before landing, the private pilot conducted an area reconnaissance in the helicopter about 300 to 500 ft above ground level (agl), and noted the wind was calm. While performing hover work about 15 ft agl, the helicopter pitched nose down, and the pilot pulled aft on the cyclic to recover. The helicopter then rolled to the right, and the pilot applied left cyclic. The pilot stated that the helicopter seemed to right itself, then "snap turned" to the right and entered a spin. The pilot then attempted to land the helicopter, and during the landing, the helicopter impacted terrain and rolled onto its left side. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.