# NTSB ATL82DKM07: Hughes 269C, N9575F, Marshville, NC, September 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1982, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Marshville, NC
- Location: 34.9862° N, 80.3701° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marshville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9862&lon=-80.3701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DKM07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DKM07

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - comm/nav equipment,intercom - erratic (contributing factor)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not understood, dual student (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (IP) AND THE STUDENT (A PRIVATE, SINGLE ENGINE LAND, PILOT) WERE ON A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. AFTER COMPLETING SEVERAL HOVER AUTOROTATIONS AND HOVERING PATTERNS, THE IP TOOK CONTROL. HE POSITIONED THE HELICOPTER FOR AN AUTOROTATION FROM 500 FT AGL WITH A POWER RECOVERY. WHEN ENTERING THE AUTOROTATION, THERE WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING CONCERNING WHO WAS TO FLY AND WHO WAS TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE CONTROLS. THE STUDENT THOUGHT HE WAS TO FOLLOW THROUGH, BUT REPORTEDLY, THE IP THOUGHT THE STUDENT HAD ASSUMED CONTROL. AS THE HELICOPTER APPROACHED THE GROUND, THE IP TOOK CONTROL AND FLARED; HOWEVER, DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. THE STUDENT STATED THAT PREVIOUSLY, THE MICROPHONE SYSTEM HAD AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH WAS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. HE BELIEVED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE MISUNDERSTANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9575F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9575F-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 440295, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 440295
- Airframe hours: 5439
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: U.S. Helicopters
- Registered owner: U.S. Helicopters
- Departed: MARSHVILLE, NC
- Destination: MARSHVILLE, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,385 total, 1,845 in this make and model, 7,899 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 169 °F

## 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 19820918047579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820918047579A), Sep 18, 1982: Hughes 269C, Marshville, NC, Substantial damage. Helicopter crashed during simulated autorotation. Instructions were not understood by student.

## Other investigations on N9575F (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 ATL89FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA035), Nov 14, 1988: Hughes 269C (N9575F), Mohawk, TN, destroyed, 2 fatal

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.