Accident Details
On April 29, 2024, at approximately 1513 central daylight time, a Vertical Aviation Technologies Hummingbird 260L helicopter, registration N829SH, was destroyed in an accident near Spring Branch, Texas. The airline transport pilot and a pilot-rated passenger sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air drop flight.
The purpose of the flight was a charity golf ball drop at the River Crossing Club, a private golf club in Spring Branch. The helicopter departed from Kestrel Airpark (1T7) in Spring Branch for the local area flight. Security camera footage showed the helicopter impacting a grass field in a residential area, in front of a house. A postimpact explosion and fire consumed the wreckage. No ground injuries were reported. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the site.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
According to FAA records, the pilot was also the owner and builder of the experimental helicopter. The helicopter was built in 2012 and is based on the Sikorsky S-52 series helicopter design per the kit manufacturer. The pilot's family indicated he was a retired U.S. Air Force pilot who flew the Sikorsky MH-53 series helicopter.
The helicopter was equipped with a General Motors LS7 (V8, 7.0 liter) automotive engine. An Appareo Stratus unit and the pilot’s Garmin D2 watch were recovered from the wreckage and shipped to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory.
Environmental Conditions
The estimated density altitude for the closest meteorological reporting station was 3,268 ft.