# NTSB CEN10CA280: Hughes 269A, N8897F, Cannon Falls, MN, June 1, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2010, 19:15 local (Jun 1, 2010, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Cannon Falls, MN - Coordinates: 44.481109, -92.761108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4811&lon=-92.7611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76177/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76177 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA280 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain rotor speed during the autorotation, which resulted in an excessive sink rate and a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/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 269A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after liftoff he noticed a “disturbing vibration” in the helicopter. He elected to initiate an autorotation to an open agricultural field. The pilot stated that he executed a 180-degree turn in order to avoid a tree line. He noted that the rotor speed got too low and he was unable to reduce the sink rate, which resulted in a hard landing. The main rotor contacted and separated the tail boom and the right landing skid collapsed during the accident sequence. The pilot noted that additional practice in autorotation descents and landings might have prevented the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that shortly after liftoff he noticed a “disturbing vibration” in the helicopter. He initiated an autorotation to an open agricultural field. The pilot stated that he executed a 180-degree turn in order to avoid a tree line. He noted that the rotor speed got too low and he was unable to reduce the sink rate, which resulted in a hard landing. The main rotor contacted and separated the tail boom, and the right landing skid collapsed during the accident sequence. The pilot noted that additional practice in autorotation descents and landings might have prevented the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8897F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8897F-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N 83-0274, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A - Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 83-0274 - Airframe hours: 3265 - Engines: LYCOMING HO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 2009 - Departed: PVT, Cannon Falls, MN - Destination: PVT, Cannon Falls, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 4,100 total, 120 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: MSP, 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 20100531005139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100531005139A), May 31, 2010: Hughes 269A, Cannon Falls, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that he was flying to visit a friend when the helicopter started vibrating abnormally. He then decided to land in a nearby corn field so he… ## Other investigations on N8897F (3) 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 FTW96LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA125), Feb 17, 1996: Hughes 269A (N8897F), Dallas, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the unqualified helicopter pilot to maintain control of the helicopter. Factors relating to the accident were: his lack of total experience in helicopters and his improper decision to… - [NTSB MIA77DKJ71](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77DKJ71), Aug 11, 1977: Hughes 269A1 (N8897F), Mt.Meigs, AL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA76FKG51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76FKG51), Apr 3, 1976: Hughes 269A (N8897F), Comer, GA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76177. 890 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 890 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332757&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- 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.