Amateur-built EXEC accident near Highridge, Missouri, July 19, 1987
On July 19, 1987 at about 4:15 pm local time, a amateur-built EXEC (helicopter), registered N275FS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Highridge, Missouri (Pvt Helipad 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 1987 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Highridge, Missouri · Pvt Helipad · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built EXEC
- Registration
- N275FS · registry record · serial 84E3270A
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT SAID THE HELICOPTER ENCTRD HI DENSITY ALTITUDE PROBLEMS AS IT WAS MOVING OUT OF GROUND EFFECT DRG TAKEOFF. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER SETTLED INTO TREES, THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 90 & 77 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 2400 FT. ALSO, THE HELICOPTER WAS NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT LIMIT.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 800 hours in all; 260 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,285 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotorway ROTOR MAT (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 3WE Fenton MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from STL, 11 miles away
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.