Amateur-built MH-1 accident near Beach City, Ohio, June 25, 2018
On June 25, 2018 at about 1:30 pm local time, a 2017 amateur-built MH-1 (helicopter), registered N32KS, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Beach City, Ohio (Beach City Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2018 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Beach City, Ohio · Beach City Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MH-1, built 2017
- Registration
- N32KS · no longer on the register · serial MH12014-01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot, who did not hold a rotorcraft rating, reported that he departed on a maintenance flight to track and balance the experimental, amateur-built helicopter's main rotor. As he was making the approach to land, the helicopter was about 40 ft above ground level when the engine lost total power with no warning. He entered an autorotation for the forced landing, but within seconds the helicopter impacted terrain, the skids collapsed, and it rolled on its side. A postaccident engine run/test was conducted, and the engine started with no hesitation; however, the run time was limited due to damaged cooling fans. The postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Autorotation Hard landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,200 hours in all; 260 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 27, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,180 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Yamaha Genesis 120 (piston); 9 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2D7 Beach City OH at 1:00 pm
- Destination: 2D7 Beach City OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 3,175 ft by 115 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,300 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 11:51 am from CAK, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on September 4, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Sibila | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Record of Conversations | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Haines - Sibila Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB Wreckage Release | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.