CircumFlightN58397 Hughes 269C accident
NTSB GAA15CA197 · 2015-07-21 · Atlanta, TX
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The pilot/owner, who is not rated in helicopters, reported that he departed the airport and flew the helicopter for 4 miles before landing in a parking lot in the city. During the landing flare the tail rotor blades impacted the ground and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gear box and tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Full narrative
The pilot/owner, who is not rated in helicopters, reported that he departed the airport and flew the helicopter for 4 miles before landing in a parking lot in the city. During the landing flare the tail rotor blades impacted the ground and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gear box and tail boom.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause
The non-helicopter rated pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in impact with terrain. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- OVC
- Ceiling (ft)
- 4200
- Visibility (sm)
- 8
- Wind direction
- 40
- Wind speed (kt)
- 17
- Temperature (F)
- 84
- Distance from field
- 0.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N58397 | HUGHES | 269C | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landing Off-field or emergency landing | Cruise |
| 2 | Landing-flare/touchdown Abnormal runway contact defining | Cruise |