# NTSB CEN09CA332: Hughes 369A, N298SD, Baltimore, OH, May 30, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 30, 2009, 17:13 local (21:13 UTC)
- Place: Baltimore, OH
- Coordinates: 39.846389, -82.607498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8464&lon=-82.6075&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Autorotation: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviaiton Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73953
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA332
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73953/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73953
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA332

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point, and his decision not to perform a go-around.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 369A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=4470503), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 369A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470503), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 369A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=4470503), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Hughes 369A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=4470503), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Hughes 369A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=4470503), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Hughes 369A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=4470503), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Hughes 369A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=4470503), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 369A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=4470503), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Hughes 369A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=4470503), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot attempted a practice 180-degree autorotation to a grass airstrip during a personal flight. The helicopter overshot the grass airstrip and touched down in an area of uncut grass that contained a tractor tire rut. During touchdown, the helicopter turned sharply to the left and then snap-rolled to the right when the landing gear skid contacted the tire rut. The helicopter sustained damage to the tail boom and rotor blades resulting in substantial damage. The commercial pilot and passenger were uninjured.

## Factual narrative

The pilot attempted a practice 180-degree autorotation to a grass airstrip during a personal flight. The helicopter overshot the grass airstrip and touched down in an area of uncut grass that contained a tractor tire rut. During touchdown, the helicopter turned sharply to the left and then snap rolled to the right when the landing gear skid contacted the tire rut. The helicopter sustained damage to the tail boom and rotor blades resulting in substantial damage. The commercial pilot and passenger were uninjured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N298SD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N298SD), registered now, S/N 280332, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369A
- Registry model: [Hughes 369A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-369a) (registry code 4470503) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Allison 250-C10D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c10d) (registry code 03035, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 280332
- Airframe hours: 4195
- Engines: Allison 250-C1B 320 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot
- Registered owner: Lcs Energy Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2009
- Departed: Baltimore, OH
- Destination: 38OH, Baltimore, OH
- Airport: 38OH, Industry Air Park, runway 36, 2,550 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 2,180 total, 370 in this make and model, 2,035 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observed at: LHQ, 7 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 20090530016499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090530016499A), May 30, 2009: Hughes 369A, Baltimore, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) During a practice 180 degree autorotation to a power-off touchdown, the aircraft overshot the final approach course to the 2500 foot mown grass private…

## Other investigations on N298SD (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 GAA16LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16LA182), Apr 8, 2016: Hughes 369 (N298SD), Weatherford, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/mechanic's inadequate postmaintenance and preflight inspections, which resulted in his failure to remove the antitorque pedal lock and a subsequent loss of control during hover operations.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73953. 376 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315770&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Weather Information (item 2, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-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.

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