CircumFlightN64731 Hughes 269C accident
NTSB CEN09LA202 · 2009-03-11 · El Indio, TX
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The pilot of the helicopter and a Food and Drug Administration employee had been herding cattle when it began to mist and they decided to return to the landing zone. Heavy rain began to fall and the wind began gusting as they attempted to land on a transport trailer. One or both of the helicopter skids hooked under the trailer and the helicopter rolled over. The main rotors were destroyed and the tail boom was severed.
Full narrative
On March 11, 2009, approximately 1140 central daylight time, a Hughes 269C, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the skids hooked under a trailer as the pilot attempted to land and the helicopter rolled over at a ranch near El Indio, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The work use flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The local flight originated at an undetermined time.
FAA inspectors who responded to the accident site asked the pilot what had happened. He answered, "I crashed." Asked why he crashed, he referred all questions to his attorney. A NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, was sent to the pilot. He declined to return the report. The following, therefore, is based on information provided by FAA's Flight Standards District Office in San Antonio, Texas.
The pilot and a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employee had been herding cattle when it began to mist and they decided to return to the landing zone. Heavy rain began to fall and the wind began gusting as they attempted to land on a transport trailer. One or both of the helicopter skids hooked under the trailer and the helicopter rolled over. The main rotors were destroyed and the tail boom was severed.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while attempting to land on a transport trailer in heavy rain and gusting winds. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- OVC
- Ceiling (ft)
- 2400
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 0
- Wind speed (kt)
- 11
- Temperature (F)
- 52
- Distance from field
- 0.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N64731 | HUGHES | 269C | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landing Other weather encounter | Cruise |
| 2 | Landing Loss of control in flight defining | Cruise |
| 3 | Landing Roll over | Cruise |