N428MS Hughes 269C accident

NTSB SEA07CA220 · 2007-07-30 · Three Forks, MT · near 9S5

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Summary

The instructor reported that during a training flight, while practicing an autorotation, the student began the cyclic flare and the tail of the rotorcraft struck the runway. The power recovery was initiated by the student and the instructor began to assist on the controls. The instructor reported that there was very little tail rotor effectiveness and that the aircraft then began to spin, made contact again with the ground and came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter prior to the accident.

Full narrative

The instructor reported that during a training flight, while practicing an autorotation, the student began the cyclic flare and the tail of the rotorcraft struck the runway. The power recovery was initiated by the student and the instructor began to assist on the controls. The instructor reported that there was very little tail rotor effectiveness and that the aircraft then began to spin, made contact again with the ground and came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter prior to the accident.

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during autorotation. The flight instructor's inadequate supervision was a factor. 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
NONE
Ceiling (ft)
0
Visibility (sm)
10
Wind direction
140
Wind speed (kt)
9
Temperature (F)
86
Nearest airport
Three Forks
Distance from field
0.0

Aircraft

RegistrationMakeModelDamageFAR part
N428MS Hughes 269C SUBS 091

Sequence of events

#OccurrencePhase
1 230 Cruise

Findings

Finding
11237
24520
24566 cause
24627 factor