# NTSB ATL97LA103: Hughes 269C, N7413F, Johnston, SC, July 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1997, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Johnston, SC - Location: 33.8307° N, 81.8096° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Johnston, SC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8307&lon=-81.8096&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3874 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3874/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA103 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain the proper rotor RPM during the approach and flare for landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis According to the pilot, he planned to land on his sister's property. After circling the area several times, he maneuvered for a steep approach. At about 10 feet above the trees, he added collective to slow the descent. Subsequently, 'the cabin yawed to the right.' The pilot stated that his initial thought was that he was settling with power. He immediately 'launched a little collective and tried to fly out of settling with power.' An FAA inspector, who interviewed the pilot, stated that he lowered the nose and tried to fly out of the descent. The helicopter started to spin and lose altitude. The pilot stated that in 'trying to regain control, he ran out of collective and throttle.' The helicopter impacted the ground and rolled to the right. The pilot stated that from conversations with his instructor, he learned that his rotor RPM decreased, which he failed to recover. The pilot had obtained his the helicopter on the day before the accident. He had logged 52 flight hours in this make and model of aircraft. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1997, at 1515 eastern daylight time, a Hughes, HU-269-C, N7413F, owned by South Carolina Helicopters, Inc., collided with the ground during an attempted landing onto personal property in Johnston, South Carolina. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. The private pilot and passenger were not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed Saluda County Airport (6J4), Saluda, South Carolina at 1230. According to the pilot, he departed 6J4 for a local flight with his father. He stated that they decided to fly over his sister's property. He stated that his father requested to land in his sister's property. He planned the approach to hover and then depart. After circling the area several times, he set up for a steep approach. He stated that he was concerned with "settling with power." He stated that the beginning of the approach was going fine. At about 10 feet above the trees, he added collective to slow the descent. Subsequently, "the cabin yawed to the right." He stated that his initial thought was that he was settling with power. He immediately "launched a little collective and tried to fly out of settling with power." The helicopter started to spin and loose altitude. He stated that in "trying to regain control, he ran out of collective and throttle." The helicopter impacted the ground and rolled to the right. According to the FAA, the pilot stated that he was conducting an approach into his sister's property, and at about 40 feet above the ground, he slowed the descent. The helicopter yawed 90 degrees to the right. The FAA reported that the pilot stated he "thought he was getting into settling with power and he lowered the nose to fly out of it." The helicopter continued to turn right, and subsequently collided with the ground and rolled on its side. No mechanical malfunction was reported by the pilot. Initial examination of the wreckage classified the damage as minor. After further examination, the damage was upgraded to substantial. Examination of the wreckage revealed damage to the main rotor blades, impact damage to both skids, with one separated from the airframe, the lower tubular frame bent, and the right door cabin frame buckled. According to the FAA, the maintenance records indicated that all inspections had been complied with and the Airworthiness Directive (AD) status was correct. The pilot stated that from conversations with his instructor, he learned that his rotor RPM became too low and he did not make corrections in time to stop the rotation. The pilot obtained his Rotorcraft Helicopter rating on July 12, 1997, the day prior to the accident. He has 52 hours of flight time in this aircraft. Aircraft inspection information was not included in the 6120.1/2. Several attempts have been made to contact the owner, however, they have been unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7413F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7413F-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 160463, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269C (HU-269-C) - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 52374410 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: South Carolina Helicopter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 6J4, SALUDA, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 172 total, 52 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AGS ## 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 19970713046949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970713046949A), Jul 13, 1997: Hughes 269C, Johnston, SC, No damage. (-23) Mr. Dan Robinson stated to me that on July 13, 1997, he departed saluda county airport (6J4), SC, at approximately 1500 EDT. He said the purpose of the… ## Other investigations on N7413F (2) 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 FTW81FRA30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRA30), May 13, 1981: Hughes 269C (N7413F), Houston, TX, destroyed - [NTSB MIA78FKG67](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKG67), Jul 30, 1978: Hughes 269C (N7413F), Buena Vista, GA, destroyed 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.