N9296F Hughes 269C accident

On February 19, 2002, at 1510 eastern standard time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N9296F, was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt from a platform at the Lorain County Regional Airport (LPR), Lorain, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that during the takeoff, he lifted the helicopter "quickly" off the platform. As the helicopter gained altitude, it began a turn to the right, and the pilot applied left pedal. As the pilot continued to increase the collective, the helicopter began a 360-degree "aggravated spin" to the right.

The pilot then "chopped" the throttle and the collective, and the helicopter "dropped fast." He added a slight amount of collective before landing, and the spin to the right became more aggravated. The helicopter then impacted the platform, and rolled over, onto its side.

Several witnesses observed the helicopter "spinning" after liftoff from the platform, then impact the ground on its left side.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the helicopter after the accident. The tail rotor blades were rotated by hand and control continuity was confirmed to the main rotor blades. Control continuity was also confirmed from the cyclic and collective to the main rotor blades, and from the pedals to the tail rotor blades. All belts in the tail boom pulley assembly were in place, and the tail rotor drive shaft was twisted aft of the upper pulley assembly. The clutch switch and actuator were observed in the engaged position, and the belt tension pulley was engaged. The magneto switch was observed in the "both" position. Substantial damage was observed to the main rotor and tail rotor blades.

The pilot reported 173 hours of total flight experience, and 30 hours of rotary wing flight time. He had 10 flight hours in make and model, and this was his second solo takeoff, and first time taking off from a platform.

The winds reported at the airport, at 1453, were from 160 degrees at 8 knots.