# Accident 20031007025059A: Hughes 269A, Ledges, AL, October 7, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 7, 2003, 09:35 local time
- Place: Ledges, AL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.6403° N, 86.6394° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6403&lon=-86.6394&mi=10
- Aircraft: N911HC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N911HC-2019-09-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 269A (registry code 4470402, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Reported engine: LYC HIO360*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 500 total, 300 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL04LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA011) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031007025059A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE HELICOPTER TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A TREE APPROXIMATELY 60 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS HOVERING IN A BACKWARDS DIRECTION. THE CENTER OF IMPACT WAS IN A NEARLY VERTICAL DIRECTION, 46 FEET FROM THE TREE THAT WAS STRUCK. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE OR ANY LATERAL MOTION WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A SLIGHTLY TAIL LOW ATTITUDE AND ROLLED ON TO THE LEFT SIDE OF FUSELAGE. WEATHER WAS VMC, NO CLOUDS BELOW 9000' AGL AND SURFACE WINDS AT THE NEAREST REPORTING FACILITY LESS THAN 6 KNOTS.

## 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 ATL04LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA011), Oct 7, 2003: Hughes 269A (N911HC), Huntsville, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance while hovering out of ground effect, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent uncontrolled collision with the ground.

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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