Casualties unknown

Helicopter Rental Without Verification Results in Hard Landing, Pilot Missing (N9558F)

Frisco, TX, US

On September 1, 1996, a Hughes 269B (registration N9558F) operated by Addison Helicopters was involved in an aviation accident near Frisco, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper touchdown procedure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot rented a helicopter without proper verification by the operator, performed a hard landing at a construction site, and was later found missing. The FAA has no record of the pilot's certificates.

Summary

A helicopter rental incident occurred when a pilot, who was not properly vetted by the operator, reportedly performed a hard landing at the North Dallas Jetport, which was under construction. The helicopter was later found on its side, and the pilot could not be located. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has no record of the named pilot holding an airman or medical certificate.

Accident Details

According to the operator, the pilot requested to rent a helicopter. The pilot showed his pilot certificate and flight logbook to the operator, but the operator did not record this information or obtain a current address and telephone number. The pilot was not given a check-out in the helicopter prior to the accident flight.

The operator observed the pilot hover the helicopter, take off, and depart the traffic pattern. Subsequently, the operator received a telephone call from the pilot stating that he had landed the helicopter "hard" at the North Dallas Jetport, which was under construction, and requested to be picked up. When the operator arrived at the North Dallas Jetport, he found the helicopter on its side, and the pilot could not be located.

Injury is presumed. There were no reported eyewitnesses to this accident. The FAA has no record of the named pilot having either an airman or a medical certificate.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06722. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.