CircumFlightN9655F Hughes 269C accident
NTSB DFW07CA050 · 2006-12-30 · Mineral Wells, TX · near KMWL
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The 22-hour helicopter student pilot lost control of the single-engine helicopter while performing a hovering maneuver during a solo training flight. The pilot added that while hovering at a skid height of 10-feet above the ground, the helicopter encountered a phenomena known as loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). The helicopter entered an uncontrolled hard spin to the right. The pilot responded by lowering the collective and the helicopter landed hard. The helicopter sustained structural damage to the right strut, the tail rotor drive shafts, and the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot egressed from the helicopter normally and sustained no injuries. The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 210 degrees at 6 knots.
Full narrative
The 22-hour helicopter student pilot lost control of the single-engine helicopter while performing a hovering maneuver during a solo training flight. The pilot added that while hovering at a skid height of 10-feet above the ground, the helicopter encountered a phenomena known as loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). The helicopter entered an uncontrolled hard spin to the right. The pilot responded by lowering the collective and the helicopter landed hard. The helicopter sustained structural damage to the right strut, the tail rotor drive shafts, and the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot egressed from the helicopter normally and sustained no injuries. The winds at the time of the mishap were reported from 210 degrees at 6 knots.
Probable cause
The loss of control as result of loss of tail rotor effectiveness. 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
- UNK
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 210
- Wind speed (kt)
- 6
- Temperature (F)
- 61
- Nearest airport
- Mineral Wells
- Distance from field
- 0.0
- Airport elevation
- 972
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N9655F | Hughes | 269C | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250 | Cruise |
| 2 | 200 | Cruise |
Findings
| Finding | |
|---|---|
| 24805 | cause |
| 19200 |