# Accident 20260507006649A: Hughes 369HS, Durango, CO, May 7, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 7, 2026, 12:30 local time
- Place: Durango, CO
- Airport: Durango-La Plata County
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.1515° N, 107.7538° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1515&lon=-107.7538&mi=10
- Aircraft: N926ES, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N926ES) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hughes 369HS (registry code 4470728, https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369hs) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Allison 250 SER 400HP (registry code 03013, https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-400hp) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369HS
- Reported engine: ALLISON 250 SER 400HP
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 453 total, 140 in this make and model, 96 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN26LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA181) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260507006649A

## Narrative

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

DURING A TRAINING MANEUVER, A COMMERCIALLY RATED PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION. THE PILOT RECOGNIZED THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS GOING TO OVERSHOOT THE INTENDED LANDING SPOT AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE THE AIRCRAFT. DURING THE FLARE, THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO DESCEND AND CONTACTED THE GROUND AT A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL RATE. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED UPON IMPACT, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. WHILE DEPARTING THE AIRCRAFT, BOTH PILOTS NOTED THAT THE WINDS WERE SWIRLING BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY. THE PILOTS DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES.

A REVIEW OF THE AIRCRAFT RECORDS REVEALED THAT IT HAD PROPER CERTIFICATION AND A CURRENT INSPECTION STATUS. A REVIEW OF THE PILOT RECORDS CONFIRMED THAT THE PILOT HELD THE CORRECT CERTIFICATION.

## 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 CEN26LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA181), May 7, 2026: Hughes 369HS (N926ES), Durango, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the pilot receiving the instruction and the pilot’s improper recovery from a practice autorotation in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in a…

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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