N1093Y Hughes 269C accident

NTSB NYC89LA114 · 1989-04-11 · ROSEHAYN, NJ

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE FLYING AT 1,000 FT THE HELICOPTER DEVELOPED A LOW POWER SITUATION AND BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE. AN INSPECTION AND ENGINE RUN UP BY THE FAA FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY ENGINE DISCREPANCIES. COINCIDENTLY, THE PLT HAD BEEN A STUDENT AT THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL WHERE THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE. THE RIGHT SKID DUG INTO THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER DURING THE LANDING. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER AT TREE TOP LEVEL WITH A LOW FORWARD SPEED. THEY AGAIN OBSERVED IT AT AN ALT OF 3 FT AGL WHEN IT MADE A 'VIOLENT 45 DEGREE ROLL TO THE RIGHT' DURING WHICH THE ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND.

Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING. THIS RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED TOUCHDOWN AND ROLLOVER OF THE HELICOPTER. 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

NONE

Ceiling (ft)

0

Visibility (sm)

15

Wind direction

0

Temperature (F)

50

Distance from field

0.0

Airport elevation

0

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings