On August 14, 1994, a Hughes TH-55A (registration N20SD) operated by Jesse Jane Stafford was involved in an aviation accident near Houghton, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter reported stolen was discovered on its side at Houghton Lake State Airport. The suspect, a student pilot with 10 hours of instruction, admitted to stealing the aircraft to help her boyfriend escape prison and said high winds caused her to crash while landing.
Discovery of the Stolen Helicopter
The manager of the Houghton Lake State Airport discovered a helicopter lying on its side upon opening for business. The owner subsequently reported that the helicopter had been stolen during the night.
Arrest and Confession
Several weeks later, police arrested a female suspect. She admitted to stealing the helicopter to help her boyfriend escape from prison. At the time of the incident, she held a student helicopter certificate and had accumulated approximately 10 hours of flight instruction.
Suspect's Account of the Crash
The suspect stated that the helicopter crashed and rolled over while she was attempting to land in high winds.