# NTSB ATL97LA067: Hughes 269A, N37754, Lake Wales, FL, May 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1997, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Wales, FL - Coordinates: 27.900384, -81.579925 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9004&lon=-81.5799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3844 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3844/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA067 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s); and the flight instructor's improper flare and improper use of the flight controls, while flaring for an autorotative landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command(cfi) - Hard landing, emergency landing - flare - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) was demonstrating a 180 degree turn autorotation with a power recovery. The CFI entered the maneuver approximately 600 feet above the ground. About 3/4 through the 180 degree turn, he noticed that the rotor speed was low. When the CFI decided to return the throttle to full power, there was no engine response. The CFI continued the approach, which resulted in a hard landing on the heel of the left skid, and the helicopter rolling over. Examination of the helicopter failed to disclose a mechanical problem or a system malfunction. During a functional check of the engine, it operated between idle and a moderated power range. Examination of the airframe disclosed that the skids were spread, and the landing gear damper assembly was fractured. According to FAA Advisory Circular, AC 61-13A, during the flare phase of an autorotation, the cyclic control should be moved forward to level the helicopter in preparation for landing. The advisory circular also stated that 'if a landing is to be made, allow the helicopter to descend vertically. Apply collective pitch smoothly to check the descent and cushion the landing.' ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1997, at 1700 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269A helicopter, N37754, collided with the ground during an emergency landing after the engine quit at the Lake Wales Municipal Airport in Lake Wales, Florida. The training flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The dual student and the certified flight instructor were not injured. The flight departed from Lake Wales, Florida, at 1650. The dual student stated that he was enrolled in a certificated pilot school, Sunrise Aviation, and was receiving flight training under the approved helicopter training program. During the accident training session, the flight instructor was demonstrating a 180 autorotation with a power recovery. The certified flight instructor entered the maneuver approximately 600 feet above the ground. The certified flight instructor initiated the procedure by rolling the throttle to idle and entered the simulated power off procedure. As he maneuvered the helicopter through the procedure, the engine quit. Approximately 3/4 through the 180 degree turn the certified flight instructor noticed a low rotor rpm condition. When the certified flight instructor decided to return the throttle to full power, there was no response or power increase from the engine. The certified flight instructor continued the approach and reported that the helicopter landed hard on the left heel of the left skid and rolled over. The examination of the helicopter failed to disclose a mechanical problem or a system malfunction. During the functional examination, the engine operated between idle and the moderated power range (see attached FAA Inspector's Statement). The airframe examination disclosed that the skids were spread and the landing gear damper assembly was fractured. According to FAA Advisory Circular, AC61-13A, during the flare phase of the autorotation, the cyclic control should be moved forward to level the helicopter in preparation for landing. The advisory circular also states that "if a landing is to be made, allow the helicopter to descend vertically. Apply collective pitch smoothly to check the descent and cushion the landing." The advisory circular also advises the pilot to avoid landing on the heels of the skid. (see attached excerpts from Advisory Circular AC 61-13A). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N37754](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37754-2023-01-14), registration cancelled 2023-01-14, S/N 67-16774 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269A - 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: 67-1664 - Airframe hours: 1567 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-A1A 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sun-Air Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 21, 1997 - Departed: X07 - Airport: X07, Lake Wales Municipal, runway 6, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 11 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAL, 25 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 19970501007369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970501007369A), May 1, 1997: Hughes 269A, Lake Wales, FL, Substantial damage. Helicopter practicing auto rotations, unable to recover, engine did not respond, crashed. (.4)the certified flight instructor (CFI) was demonstrating a 180… ## Other investigations on N37754 (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 CEN12LA648](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA648), Sep 19, 2012: Hughes 269A (N37754), Mc Cool Junction, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the student pilot’s entry into the autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the loss of engine power as a… 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.