# NTSB ATL02LA141: Hughes HU-269-A, N911LH, Hamilton, AL, July 12, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 2002, 21:00 local (Jul 12, 2002, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Hamilton, AL - Coordinates: 34.119167, -87.999725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1192&lon=-87.9997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55214 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55214/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55214 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA141 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of flight controls that resulted in an improper flare and a hard landing during a practice autorotation. A factor was the loss of rotor rpm. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) - terrain condition - ground - flare - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - emergency procedure - simulated - autorotation - initiated ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, the intent of the flight was to demonstrate emergency procedures. The flight instructor demonstrated several traffic patterns and approaches. The flight instructor stated that while demonstrating an autorotation he allowed the rotor rpm to deteriorate, the helicopter lost lift, and subsequently collided with the ground. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 2002, at 2100 central daylight time, a Hughes HU-269-A, N911LH, registered to Palmer Adam, and operated by the flight instructor, collided with the ground during autorotation, at the Marion Co-Fite Airport in Hamilton, Alabama. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight instructor and student pilot reported no injuries, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight departed Marion Co-Fite airport at 1810, on July 11, 2002. According to the flight instructor, the intent of the flight was to demonstrate emergency procedures. The flight instructor demonstrated several traffic patterns and approaches. The flight instructor stated that while demonstrating an autorotation he allowed the rotor rpm to deteriorate, the helicopter lost lift, and subsequently collided with the ground. Examination of the wreckage found that the main rotor blades collided with the tailboom, and the tailboom and skids separated from the airframe. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N911LH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N911LH-2003-09-03), registration cancelled 2003-09-03, S/N 1270737, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes HU-269-A - Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1270737 - Airframe hours: 4845.5 - Engines: Lycoming HI0360BIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Adam Palmer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2002, 33.4 hours before - Departed: HAB, Hamilton, AL - Destination: HAB, Hamilton, AL - Airport: HAB, Marrion County, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 18, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,330 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.30 inHg - Observed at: ANB, 40 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020711016929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020711016929A), Jul 11, 2002: Hughes 269A, Hamilton, AL, Destroyed. (.19) On July 11, 2002, at 2100 central daylight time, a Hughes HU-269-A, N911LH, registered to and operated by the flight instructor, collided with the ground… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55214. 289 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.