Event CHI94LA279

Factual narrative

On August 14, 1994, at a time unknown, a Hughes TH-55A, N20SD, owned by Milligan & Langham Timber, Co., Lansing, Michigan, was substantially damaged at the Houghton Lake State Airport, Houghton Lake, Michigan. The helicopter was stolen from a locked hangar at the Abrams Municipal Airport, Grand Ledge, Michigan, earlier that morning. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area. The helicopter was found by the airport manager when he opened the airport at 0700. The helicopter contained contraband including an assault rifle, smoke bombs, and a gas grenade. On September 2, 1994, a woman was arrested by the Clinton County Sheriff's Department, St. Johns, Michigan. She admitted to stealing the helicopter to help her boyfriend escape from prison. She stated she crashed the helicopter trying to land in strong winds. The pilot held a private pilot certificate which she obtained on July 9, 1994. She held a student helicopter certificate and had accrued about 10 hours instructional time in helicopters when the mishap occurred. A HELICOPTER LAYING ON ITS SIDE WAS FOUND BY THE MANAGER OF THE HOUGHTON LAKE STATE AIRPORT WHEN HE OPENED FOR BUSINESS. THE OWNER OF THE HELICOPTER REPORTED THE HELICOPTER WAS STOLEN DURING THE NIGHT. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THE POLICE ARRESTED A FEMALE WHO ADMITTED SHE STOLE THE HELICOPTER TO HELP HER BOYFRIEND ESCAPE FROM PRISON. SHE HAD A STUDENT HELICOPTER CERTIFICATE AND ABOUT 10 HOURS INSTRUCTION. SHE SAID THE HELICOPTER CRASHED AND ROLLED OVER WHILE SHE WAS TRYING TO LAND IN HIGH WINDS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12