CRETE, NE, USA
N88007
Hughes 269C
While performing a sideways taxi hover, the helicopter skid contacted a runway marker and the helicopter rolled over.
On July 14, 1995, at 1500 central daylight time, a Hughes 269C, N88007, registered to Silverhawk Security Specialists of Lincoln, Nebraska, collided with a runway marker while hovering at the Crete Airport, Crete, Nebraska, while on a maintenance test flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The pilot had been hovering while the main rotor disc lateral balance was being tested. He stated the winds were too "brisk" to hover with a downwind. He performed a clearing turn and ultimately lined "the nose of the helicopter with the prevailing wind." The pilot began hovering sideways and after moving about 20 feet, the rear position of the right skid tube contacted a runway marker sign. The helicopter then entered what the pilot described as a "dymanic rollover." The pilot stated his view was blocked by the passenger and the right rear corner of the cabin structure.
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the runway marker.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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