# Accident 20030407005049A: Hughes 269C, Wichita, KS, April 7, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 7, 2003, 16:45 local time
- Place: Wichita, KS
- Airport: Westport Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Sfl Autorotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.6475° N, 97.3844° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6475&lon=-97.3844&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8968F, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8968F-2005-06-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 269C (registry code 4470504, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360D1A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 17,500 total, 950 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI03LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA098) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030407005049A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) MR. LETTS IS A HELICOPTER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR THAT WAS IN THE LEFT (PILOT) SEAT AND DEMONSTRATING A TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATION TO MR. FRYE. MR. FRYE WAS GETTING INSTRUCTION BEFORE TAKING HIS CFI PRACTICAL TEST THE NEXT DAY. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN WITH EXCESSIVE FORWARD SPEED SLIDING AN ESTIMATED 90 FEET BEFORE THE TOE OF THE RIGHT SKID CAUGHT IN THE TURF ROCKING THE HELICOPTER FORWARD AND ALLOWING THE ROTOR SYSTEM TO CONTACT THE TAIL BOOM. VISIBLE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE ROTOR BLADES, THE TAIL BOOM WAS SEVERED AND BROKEN OFF FROM THE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND THE FRONT HALF OF THE LEFT SKID WAS BENT UPWARD. THE CABIN AREA OF THE HELICOPTER WAS NOT DAMAGED AND THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI03LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA098), Apr 7, 2003: Schweizer 269C (N8968F), Wichita, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The premature lowering of the collective and the improper use of the cyclic during the run-on landing performed by the flight instructor, as well as the main rotor/tail boom contact. Contributing…

## Other reports on N8968F (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19750707028149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750707028149A), Jul 7, 1975: Hughes 269C (N8968F), Wichita, KS, Substantial damage. Eng quit drg practice autorotation.
- [Accident 19741120039469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19741120039469A), Nov 20, 1974: Hughes 269C (N8968F), Greenwich, KS, Substantial damage. Ip demo practice autorotations. Overshot spot t/d in wheatfield btwn rnwys,acft rocked fwd on skids
- [Accident 19740219003289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740219003289A), Feb 19, 1974: Hughes 269C (N8968F), Wichita, KS, Substantial damage

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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