After performing some maintenance work on an amateur build helicopter, the pilot carried out a test flight.  In a low hover there was an explosion which caused the helicopter to crash from low level and subsequently burn out. Pilot to hospital with burns.

Helicopter believed to be a CHR (Canadian Home Rotors) Safari 400 from analysis of the photos published (compare press images to this, for example).  The confirmed registration from Fire Dept photos is not currently registered with the FAA – it has been reserved in the name of Tim Broughton of an address eight miles due south of the airport.

The McKinney Fire Department was called to the McKinney National Airport Thursday night to the report of a helicopter explosion. https://t.co/jsCktqqO39

— Star Local Media (@starlocalmedia) December 10, 2021

Date:

9 December, 2021

Reg:

N

Location:

McKinney National Airport

Country:

US-Texas

Civil / Military:

Civil

Link:

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/one-hurt-in-reported-helicopter-explosion-in-mckinney/2835462/

Link:

https://timesnewsexpress.com/news/newsusa/dallas/helicopter-crashes-during-lift-off-mckinney-national-airport-pilot-suffers-burns/

Link:

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2021/12/09/helicopter-crashes-lift-off-mckinney-national-airport-texas-pilot-burns/