Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while hover-taxiing. A factor in this accident was the high wind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was hover-taxiing at a height of 5-feet, when a gust of wind blew the helicopter sideways and to the right. The right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He reported 450 hours of total rotorcraft flight experience, which included 26 hours in make and model. Wind speeds of 15 knots, with 18 knot gusts, were reported about the time of the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 27, 2004, about 1600 eastern standard time, a Hughes 269B, N9520F, was substantially damaged while hover-taxiing at Republic Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated he was hover-taxiing to runway 32, at a height of 5-feet, when a gust of wind blew the helicopter sideways and to the right. The right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over. The pilot stated he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions. He reported 450 hours of total rotorcraft flight experience, which included 26 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. Winds speeds of 15 knots, with 18 knot gusts were reported FRG, about the time of the accident.