# NTSB ATL97LA114: Hughes 269A, N7050D, Dandridge, TN, August 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 10, 1997, 17:13 local (21:13 UTC) - Place: Dandridge, TN - Coordinates: 36.019554, -83.410041 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0196&lon=-83.4100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3884 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3884/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA114 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to properly plan the approach for landing, which led to a loss of tail rotor authority and directional control, while close to the ground. The tailwind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause) - loss of tail rotor effectiveness - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis The pilot stated he was returning to his private heliport after refueling at a local airport. As he approached the heliport, he flew over a local lake to determine the wind direction. He stated he made a normal approach. According to the pilot, as the helicopter approached the ground, a 'right quartering tailwind' was encountered. The helicopter began to 'sink rapidly,' tail rotor authority was lost, and the pilot lost directional control of the helicopter. In order to prevent a spin, the pilot turned off the ignition and allowed the helicopter to drop to the ground. ## Factual narrative On August 10, 1997, at 1713 eastern daylight time, a Hughes TH55-269A, N7050D, experienced a loss of control while landing at a private heliport 10 miles south of Morristown Airport, Morristown, Tennessee. The helicopter was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. The prevailing weather was visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter incurred substantial damage. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated at 1645 from Morristown Airport, Morristown, Tennessee. The pilot stated this flight was to the local airport to purchase fuel. The pilot departed Jacques Heliport, flew to Morristown Airport, and was returning to Jacques Heliport. According to the pilot, he looked at a local lake before landing, in order to determine the wind direction at the uncontrolled field. His approach was normal. When he was close to the ground, the helicopter "encountered what seemed to be a right quartering tailwind", and it began to "sink rapidly". According to the pilot, he lost directional control of the helicopter. In order to prevent a spin, the pilot stated he turned the ignition off, and the helicopter dropped to the ground. There was damage to the helicopter's boom, rotor blades, and left skid. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7050D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7050D), registered now, S/N 56-0551 (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: 56-0551 - Airframe hours: 4919 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jacques Van Stratum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1997, 9 hours before - Departed: MOR, MORRISTOWN, TN - Airport: NONE, Jacques Heliport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 855 total, 125 in this make and model, 515 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TYS, 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 19970810025839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970810025839A), Aug 10, 1997: Hughes 269A, Dandridge, TN, Substantial damage. Lost tail rotor effect. Too low autorotation. Cut ignition fell to ground. (-23) during transition from flight to hover for landing, pilot applied more power… 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.