Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE N725JC

Summary

On 2 May 2018 at about 14:00 local time, a Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE registered N725JC was involved in an accident near Iron Station, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 May 2018 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Iron Station, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.4400, -81.1200

Aircraft

Michael R Alexander MOSQUITO XE

Registration

N725JC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Iron Station → Iron Station

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA250

1 person had minor injuries.

The noncertificated pilot’s decision to practice hovering the helicopter in a confined space, which resulted in the tail rotor striking a tree.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The noncertificated pilot reported that, while practicing hovering in his yard, the experimental amateur-built helicopter struck a tree with the tail rotor. He added that, the next thing he knew the helicopter developed "a huge vibration suddenly and [he] had no heading control." Subsequently, the helicopter impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter was destroyed by a postcrash fire. The pilot reported in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report form (6120.1) that he should have taken more dual instruction and that he should have chosen a more open area for hover practice.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.