Kaman K-1200 N135KA

Summary

On 27 January 1998 at about 16:50 local time, a Kaman K-1200 registered N135KA was involved in an accident near Bloomfield, Connecticut, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 January 1998 at 16:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Bloomfield, Connecticut, United States

Nearest airport

Kaman Aerospace (CT05)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Kaman K-1200

Registration

N135KA

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bloomfield → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD98LA024

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain control during autorotation, which resulted in an unleveled attitude touchdown, roll over, and collision with the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was on a familiarization flight of a new helicopter. He had successfully completed hovering, several takeoffs and landings, and two hovering autorotations. He had to discontinue his maneuvers in the traffic pattern due to traffic, so he requested to use the pad near the plant. During a hovering autorotation at 5 feet AGL, the helicopter suddenly drifted to the left. Despite his efforts correcting with right cyclic, the helicopter continued to roll to the left. It touched down on the left main landing gear, followed by the nosewheel, and came to rest on its left side. Of the 12 hours the helicopter had accumulated, the pilot had 9 hours in this make and model. Examination of the wreckage did not disclose any evidence of mechanical malfunction with the helicopter or engine, and the pilot did not report any.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.