Westland WASP N108RA

Summary

On 30 May 2005 at about 17:05 local time, a Westland WASP registered N108RA was involved in an accident near Denison, Texas, United States. 2 people were 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.

Date

30 May 2005 at 17:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Denison, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.9833, -96.9333

Aircraft

Westland WASP

Registration

N108RA

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Denison → Denison

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW05CA142

Nobody was injured.

The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During initial climb-out on a southwesterly direction, while at an estimated altitude of 90 feet above the ground, and an estimated airspeed of 25 knots, the helicopter experienced an un-commanded reduction of engine power to flight idle. The 358-hour student pilot turned the helicopter 180 degrees, put the collective down, and applied right anti-torque pedal. The helicopter landed hard on a street, impacting on all four landing gear before bouncing back into the air. During the second ground impact, the left rear landing gear collapsed and the main rotor blades and tail rotor made contact with the ground. The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 040 degrees at 8 knots. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.