Chr International Safari 400 accident near Mckinney, Texas, December 9, 2021
On December 9, 2021 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 2014 Chr International Safari 400 (helicopter), an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N666JS, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Mckinney, Texas (Mckinney Ntl 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 pilot did not remove the cyclic control lock during preflight, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial hover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 9, 2021 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mckinney, Texas · Mckinney Ntl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Chr International Safari 400, built 2014, amateur-built
- Registration
- N666JS · registry record · serial CH406
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he drove from his home to the airport not expecting to fly the helicopter due to high winds, however, after arrival at the hangar the winds were lighter than the forecast winds, so he conducted a preflight for a local flight. As the pilot raised the collective for takeoff and the helicopter climbed into an initial hover, the helicopter rolled to the left. The pilot tried to counter the roll but was unable because the cyclic control lock was still in place. The helicopter continued to roll left and impacted the ramp and a post impact fire ensued. The pilot successfully egressed the helicopter but suffered serious burn injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system and the cabin. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Inadequate inspection
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 16,568 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 118 in the last 90 days; 44 in the last 30 days; 9,200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 75 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 21, 2021; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming YIO-360-EXP (piston); 75 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: TKI Mckinney TX at 11:00 pm
- Destination: TKI Mckinney TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.77 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KTKI, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTKI 092253Z 20007KT 10SM CLR 24/11 A2977 RMK AO2 SLP080 T02440106
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on February 9, 2022. 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 | Photos of Accident Helicopter | PDF, 2 pages | 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.