CHI00LA049

Factual narrative

On December 17, 1999, at 1300 eastern standard time, a Rotorway Exec 90, N990JR, rolled over following a loss of control during a hover taxi on private property in Georgetown, Indiana. The private helicopter-rated pilot and his passenger were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he lifted the helicopter off of the pad which was located to the east of a hangar/building. He reported the winds were from 260 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 25 knots. He reported he moved further east of the building in a two foot hover and was in an area where the helicopter was no longer protected from the winds by the building. He continued to report, "Wind hit tail forcing helicopter to nose down attitude before being able to correct with cyclic aircraft contacted ground with left skid and rolled over." The pilot reported he lifted the helicopter off of the pad which was located to the east of a hangar/building. He reported the winds were from 260 degrees at 20 knots gusting to 25 knots. He reported he moved further east of the building in a two foot hover and was in an area where the helicopter was no longer protected from the winds by the building. He continued to report, 'Wind hit tail forcing helicopter to nose down attitude before being able to correct with cyclic aircraft contacted ground with left skid and rolled over.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12