NTSB Identification: WPR14FA167
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 13, 2014 in Reno, NV
Aircraft: CHRISTOPHER W SANDS HELICYCLE, registration: N78CS
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On April 13, 2014, about 1209 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur built Sands Helicycle, N78CS, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near the Reno-Stead Airport (RTS), Reno, Nevada. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The student pilot, sole occupant of the single-seat helicopter, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight which originated from RTS at an undetermined time.
Witnesses located adjacent to the accident site observed two helicopters fly along a taxiway about 15 feet above ground level (agl) on a southerly heading. The helicopters began a left turn to an easterly heading while ascending to about 500 feet agl. As both helicopters turned to a northerly heading, the lead helicopter began to "pull away" from the second helicopter. Witnesses stated that the second helicopter suddenly pitched downward towards the ground. Subsequently, the helicopter impacted terrain about 1,425 feet northeast of the threshold of runway 32.
Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the helicopter came to rest on its left side in an open area. All major structural components of the helicopter were located at the accident site. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
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