Hughes TH-55A N20SD
14 August 1994 · Houghton, Michigan, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 14 August 1994 at about 04:00 local time, a Hughes TH-55A registered N20SD, operated by Jesse Jane Stafford, was involved in an accident near Houghton, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 04:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Houghton, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Houghton Lake State Airpo (5Y2)
- Coordinates
- 44.3098, -84.7601
- Aircraft
- Hughes TH-55A
- Registration
- N20SD
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Jesse Jane Stafford
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Grand Ledge → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Not Reported
- NTSB number
- CHI94LA279
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Hughes TH-55A accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul 1994 | Hughes TH-55A | Savannah, Georgia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 May 1991 | Hughes TH-55A | Roseau, Minnesota, United States | MN Dept of Natural Resources | Minor injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 1998 | Hughes TH-55A | Savannah, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 Sep 2000 | Hughes TH-55A | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 Nov 2003 | Hughes TH-55A | West Lafayette, Indiana, United States | Dennis G. Lockrey | Serious injuries | - |
| 25 Feb 1983 | Hughes TH-55A | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jun 1994 | Cessna 172N | Lambertville, Michigan, United States | Davis College | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Jun 1994 | Beechcraft 19 | Ionia, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1994 | Hunsberger GLASAIR | Lapeer, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1994 | Beechcraft K35 | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States | Richard J. van Lente | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1994 | Cessna T210M | Beaver Island, Michigan, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 1 Jul 1994 | Cessna 441 | Flint, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |