Vertical Av. Tech. 260L | N829SH
April 29th, 2024 | Spring Branch, Texas
Accident Location
- City: Spring Branch
- State: Texas
- Latitude: 29.828998
- Longitude: -98.446451
- Airport ID: 1T7
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N829SH
- Make: Vertical Av. Tech.
- Model: 260L
- Aircraft Category: Helicopter
- Amateur Built: Yes
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Herr, Richard
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 62
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Airline Transport Pilot
- IFR Rating: Yes
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: April 29th, 2024
- Time: 3:15 PM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Enroute
- Total People Onboard: 2
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 1
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 2
- NTSB No: CEN24FA167
- NTSB Travel: Unknown
- AQP Classification: 7) TERRAIN COLLISION, C-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that there were no mechanical difficulties discovered in the post accident review, and the density altitude at the time was approximately 3300 feet. It is likely that the pilot allowed an aerodynamic blade stall in flight with excessive collective pitch and insufficient rotor speed which then caused a loss of control, and impact.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become aware of gross weight, density altitude and other limitations in helicopter operations that could cause a sudden and unrecoverable loss of control in flight, and maintain sufficient safety margins at all times.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.