Amateur-built EH-101 accident near Corona, California, May 21, 1994
On May 21, 1994 at about 11:30 pm local time, a amateur-built EH-101 (helicopter), registered N10TE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Corona, California (Corona airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's loss of control of the helicopter while hovering downwind. A lack of test-flight data to establish the aircraft's performance limitations was a factor in the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 1994 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Corona, California · Corona
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built EH-101
- Registration
- N10TE · no longer on the register · serial 01
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT/AIRCRAFT DESIGNER WAS HOVERING AN EXPERIMENTAL HELICOPTER ABOUT 15 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHILE IT WAS BEING PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANOTHER HELICOPTER. THE PILOT TURNED THE TAIL OF HIS AIRCRAFT INTO THE WIND AND IT BEGAN TO SETTLE IN ITS OWN ROTORWASH. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE DESCENT AND THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN SOFT TERRAIN AND THEN ROLLED OVER. THE HELICOPTER HAD ACCUMULATED 5.6 HOURS OF TEST-FLIGHT TIME AND THE PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED.
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
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,337 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 1,337 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 20, 1994; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 992 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett GTPC-36-55-C (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L66 at 11:15 pm
- Destination: L66 CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°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.