Amateur-built 133 accident near Fredricksburg, Texas, July 25, 1994
On July 25, 1994 at about 6:00 pm local time, a amateur-built 133 (helicopter), registered N845H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fredricksburg, Texas. 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'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE GUSTY WIND AND THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT'S INADEQUATE TRAINING.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 1994 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Fredricksburg, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built 133
- Registration
- N845H · no longer on the register · serial 8458
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS PRACTICING HOVERING HIS HOMEBUILT HELICOPTER. AFTER 20 MINUTES OF PRACTICE, THERE WAS A HARD TOUCHDOWN ON THE REAR PORTION OF THE LEFT SKID. THE SKID COLLAPSED AND THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. AT THAT TIME THE PILOT TURNED AND LOOKED BACK TOWARD THE TAIL ROTOR AND WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE BY A TAIL ROTOR BLADE. THE PILOT REPORTED WIND FROM THE SOUTH AT 15 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTING TO 20. HE ALSO RELATED THAT A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE HELICOPTER WHILE HE WAS HOVERING ABOUT 18 INCHES ABOVE THE GROUND.
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
Pilot
- Flight time: 50 hours in all; 50 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, July 25, 1994; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway RW133 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.