# Accident 20040809016469A: Hughes 269C1, Denton, TX, August 9, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 9, 2004, 17:04 local time
- Place: Denton, TX
- Airport: Denton Municipal Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Sfl Autorotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.2006° N, 97.1978° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2006&lon=-97.1978&mi=10
- Aircraft: N204LH, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N204LH-2005-10-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer 269C-1 (registry code 8059504, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming HO-360 series (registry code 41513, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C1
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,800 total, 250 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW04LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA209) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040809016469A

## Narrative

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

(-23) INSPECTOR WORTHY CONDUCTED THE ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION AND COMPLETED MOST OF THE REQUIRED ITEMS. I WAS CALLED ON TO INTERVIEW THE INSTRUCTOR WHO WAS THE PIC OF THE AIRCRAFT, GENE LACOSTE. I SPOKE WITH HIM THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER EXAMINING THE WRECKAGE. MR. LACOSTE STATED THAT THE STUDENT WAS PRACTICING HOVERING AUTOROTATIONS FROM A SKID HEIGHT OF ABOUT 12-18 INCHES. WINDS WERE NORTHERLY AT 2-3 KNOTS, AND NOT A FACTOR. THE STUDENT INITIATED THE MANEUVER BY ROLLING OFF THE THROTTLE, HE THEN APPLIED FULL FORWARD CYCLIC AND PULLED FULL COLLECTIVE. THE AIRCRAFT RESPONDED BY ROTATING FORWARD ABOUT THE FRONT OF THE SKIDS UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND. IT CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD AND LEFT UNTIL IT CAME TO REST ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE STUDENT HAD APPROXIMATELY 250 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME WITH ABOUT 40 IN HELICOPTERS. FIVE OF THOSE HOURS WERE DELIVERED BY MR. LACOSTE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THEY HAD FLOWN ABOUT AN HOUR. INSPECTOR WAS SLOW TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST INAPPROPRIATE CONTROL INPUT.

## 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 FTW04LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA209), Aug 9, 2004: Schweizer 269C-1 (N204LH), Denton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight by his delay in taking remedial action.

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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