Casualties unknown

Helicopter Rolls Over After Gust of Wind During Hover-Taxi (N9520F)

Farmingdale, NY, US

On March 27, 2004, a Hughes 269B (registration N9520F) was involved in an aviation accident near Farmingdale, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while hover-taxiing. A factor in this accident was the high wind condition. 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 helicopter with 450 total rotorcraft hours experienced a rollover during hover-taxi when a gust of wind blew it sideways, causing the right skid to contact the ground. No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

Accident Details

A helicopter was hover-taxiing at a height of 5 feet when a gust of wind pushed it sideways and to the right. The right skid subsequently contacted the ground, causing the helicopter to roll over.

Pilot Experience and Conditions

The pilot reported 450 hours of total rotorcraft flight experience, including 26 hours in the same make and model. No mechanical malfunctions were noted by the pilot. Wind conditions around the time of the accident were recorded at 15 knots with gusts up to 18 knots.

Outcome

The helicopter rolled over after the skid contacted the ground. The pilot did not report any injuries or deaths. The aircraft sustained damage consistent with a rollover event.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040408X00433. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.