# Accident 20031107029119A: Hughes 269A, Birmingham, AL, November 7, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 7, 2003, 17:15 local time
- Place: Birmingham, AL
- Airport: Birmingham Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hovering
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.5628° N, 86.7533° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5628&lon=-86.7533&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1015T, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1015T-2013-04-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 269A (registry code 4470402, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HO-360 series (registry code 41513, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,250 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL04LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA034) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031107029119A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE HELICOPTER AIR TAXIED TO THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOVERING THE HELICOPTER IN A PRACTICE AREA ON A TRAINING FLIGHT AT NIGHT WITHOUT USE OF THE LANDING LIGHT. WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM AIR TAXING TO A HOVER, THE COMMERCIAL PILOT FLYING AND NOT HELICOPTER RATED, LET THE SINK RATE INCREASE TO WHERE THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR GOT ON THE CONTROLS AND TRIED TO ADD POWER TO STOP THE DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND IN A CRABBED ATTITUDE, AND LANDED HARD ON THE LEFT SKID. THE LEFT SKID COLLAPSED. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED ON THE LEFT SIDE BRAKING THE BOOM AND EACH ROTOR BLADE RECEIVED A GROUND STRIKE.

## 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 ATL04LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA034), Nov 7, 2003: Hughes 269A (N1015T), Birmingham, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The certified flight instructor's inadequate aircraft control and his improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing and roll over.

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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