CircumFlightN9294F Hughes 269C accident
NTSB FTW02LA038 · 2001-11-17 · Richmond, TX
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The private pilot, who was not helicopter rated, was attempting to land the helicopter near a friend's house when the main rotor blades contacted power lines. The helicopter landed hard and came to rest upright in a grass field. The tailboom was severed by the main rotor blades, the main rotor blades were bent and fractured, and the skids were spread up and outward, level with the bottom of the cabin section.
Full narrative
On November 17, 2001, approximately 1730 central standard time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N9294F, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines while landing at a field near Richmond, Texas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger was not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed Damon, Texas, approximately 1710.
The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the private pilot, who was not helicopter rated, was attempting to land the helicopter near a friend's house when the main rotor blades contacted power lines. Subsequently, the helicopter landed hard and came to rest upright in a grass field. The tailboom was severed by the main rotor blades, the main rotor blades were bent and fractured, and the skids were spread up and outward, level with the bottom of the cabin section.
Due to injuries sustained during the accident, the pilot was unavailable for an interview and unable to provide a written statement of the event.
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while landing. 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
- Dusk
- Sky condition
- NONE
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 0
- Temperature (F)
- 75
- Distance from field
- 0.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N9294F | Hughes | 269C | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 220 | Cruise |
| 2 | 200 | Cruise |
Findings
| Finding | |
|---|---|
| 20200 | |
| 24526 | cause |
| 19200 |