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N565CH accident description

Nebraska map... Nebraska list
Crash location 40.206389°N, 100.592222°W
Nearest city Mccook, NE
40.201948°N, 100.625708°W
1.8 miles away
Tail number N565CH
Accident date 28 Sep 2006
Aircraft type Daub Pawnee Chief
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

On September 28, 2006, about 1820 central daylight time, an amateur built Daub Pawnee Chief helicopter, N565CH, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the ground following a loss of flight control authority while hovering in ground effect at McCook Regional Airport (MCK), McCook, Nebraska. A post impact fire ensued. The test flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The local flight originated from MCK about 1800.

The pilot was conducting test flights in a low hover, three to four feet above the ground. The pilot stated that while hovering, the tail came up and one of the skids caught the ground. The helicopter subsequently rolled over. He noted that the ground consisted of tall grass and soft dirt.

Post accident inspection of the helicopter revealed that a cyclic control cable bracket had separated from the main rotor mast at a welded joint. The bracket secured the end of the control cable shroud. The cable itself provided control authority from the cyclic to the main rotor.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of a welded joint at a cyclic control cable bracket located on the main rotor mast which made control of the helicopter impossible for the pilot.

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