Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Baxley, Georgia 31513
Friday, November 6, 2009 11:30 EST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

According to the pilot, the helicopter lost engine power less than a minute after takeoff and rolled over onto its left side during the subsequent autorotation. The pilot stated that the cause of the loss of engine power was because the “main fuel valve was pulled causing fuel starvation to the engine.” He also stated that there was no mechanical malfunction with the helicopter.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the main fuel valve position.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 11/6/2009
Event Day of the Week Friday
Time of Event 1130
Event Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Event City Baxley
Event State GEORGIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 31513
Event Date Year 2009
Event Date Month 11
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 314429N
Event Location Longitude 0822146W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1153 Eastern Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 180
Weather Observation Facility ID AMG
Elevation of weather observation facility 201
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 1
Time Zone of the weather observation EST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 21
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 3
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator --
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.32
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 1
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 27379
NTSB Notification Source FAA Southern ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Nov 18 2010 12:17PM
User who most recently changed record lema
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N89ZC
NTSB Number ERA10LA053
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name HUGHES
Aircraft Model 369
Aircraft Series Identifier D
Aircraft Serial Number 1098D
Certified Max Gross Weight 3000
Aircraft Category Helicopter
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 5
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Oct 6 2009 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 3
Airframe Hours 7948
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type Unknown
Aircraft Owner Name Extreme Helicopters Inc.
Aircraft Owner Street Address 2384 Golden Isle W
Aircraft Owner City Appling
Aircraft Owner State GA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 31513
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name Rock Courson
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address 7950 Satilla Church Rd
Operator City Baxley
Operator State GA
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 31513
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code PVT
Departure City Baxley
Departure State GA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1210
Departure Time Zone EST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code PVT
Destination City Baxley
Destination State GA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record May 2 2010 12:20PM
User who most recently changed record wilr
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --