Event ATL05CA089

Factual narrative

On May 26, 2005, at 1644 eastern daylight time, a Hughes TH-55, N681BC, registered and operated by private owner, collided with the ground during a quick stop maneuver Cornelia, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot, and passenger was not injured. The flight originated from a field in Cornelia, Georgia on May 26, 2005, at 1630. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to videotape the construction of a local building. After the pilot loaded and secured the passenger in the helicopter, the pilot elected to position the helicopter to a grassy area for takeoff. The helicopter was brought to a hover between 15-20 feet off of the ground in the parking lot of the building. The helicopter was air taxied to a grassed field approximately 400 feet away. As the pilot began his takeoff run he approached a row of trees that were approximately 50 feet tall. When the pilot realized that the helicopter was not high enough to clear the tree line, he executed a quick stop maneuver. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter, the tail rotor became entangled in high vegetation. The helicopter began to spin to the right, and collided with ground, and rolled over onto the left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed, that the tail boom separated from the fuselage, all main rotor blades were bent and damaged. The left skid was broken and loose. Review of weather data revealed light winds from the west and a temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit with a density altitude of 3274 feet. Review of the FAA rotorcraft flying handbook states: Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop) should be conducted at an altitude high enough to avoid danger to the tail rotor during flare, but low enough to stay out of the crosshatched or shaded areas of the height/ velocity diagram throughout the maneuver. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to film the construction of a local building. The helicopter was brought to a hover between 15-20 feet off of the ground in the parking lot of the building. The helicopter was air taxied to a grass field approximately 100 feet away. As the pilot began his takeoff run he approached a row of trees that were approximately 50 feet tall and was unable to gain altitude. He initiated a quick stop maneuver, and the tail rotor became entangled in high vegetation. The helicopter began to spin to the right, and collided with the ground and rolled over onto the left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed, that the tail boom separated from the fuselage, all main rotor blades were bent and damaged. The left skid was broken and loose. Review of the FAA rotorcraft flying handbook states: Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop) should be conducted at an altitude high enough to avoid danger to the tail rotor during flare, but low enough to stay out of the crosshatched or shaded areas of the height/ velocity diagram throughout the maneuver. Review of the FAA rotorcraft flying handbook states: Rapid Deceleration (Quick Stop) should be conducted at an altitude high enough to avoid danger to the tail rotor during flare. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12