# NTSB CEN10CA469: Hughes 269B, N11XC, Lakeview, MI, August 7, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 7, 2010, 13:33 local (17:33 UTC)
- Place: Lakeview, MI
- Coordinates: 43.45222, -85.264724
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4522&lon=-85.2647&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA469
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76915/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76915
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA469

## Probable cause

The pilot's excessive descent angle during landing approach, which resulted in a settling with power condition.

## 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 · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=4470502), [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 269B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470502), [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.

- [Landing: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was making a high approach in the helicopter due to other aircraft traffic. About 50 feet above the ground he experienced a settling with power event. He could not arrest the descent and the helicopter impacted the ground, bounced, and became airborne again. The helicopter was spinning due to the separation of the tail boom and tail rotor. The helicopter then struck a hangar and impacted the ground a second time. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was flying the helicopter to the fuel pumps on the airport and made a high approach due to other aircraft traffic. About 50 feet above the ground he experienced "settling with power". He could not arrest the descent and the helicopter impacted the ground, bounced, became airborne again, and was spinning due to the separation of the tail boom and tail rotor. The helicopter then struck a hangar and impacted the ground a second time. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter. The helicopter had about 16 hours since a complete rebuild, and less than one hour since annual inspection.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11XC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11XC-2018-02-28), registration cancelled 2018-02-28, S/N 0102, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B
- Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0102
- Engines: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 13C, Lakeview, MI
- Destination: 13C, Lakeview, MI
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 13C, Lakeview Airport - Griffith Fi

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: RQB, 19 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 20100807043359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100807043359A), Aug 7, 2010: Hughes 269B, Lake View, MI, Destroyed. On August 07, 2010 at 13:25 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269B, N11XC was destroyed when it hit a hangar at lakeview Griffith field (13C). The 14 CFR part 91…

## Other investigations on N11XC (4)

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 ATL95LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA053), Feb 18, 1995: Schweizer 269B (N11XC), Addison, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL DURING A DESCENT WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.
- [NTSB FTW91FA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA123), Jul 18, 1991: Hughes 269B (N11XC), Brickeys, AR, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE DUE TO FRAYING WHICH INITIATED THE FORCED LANDING AND THE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO PERFORM RECOMMENDED INSPECTIONS ON THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S…
- [NTSB MKC76DCA07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DCA07), Aug 6, 1975: Hughes 269B (N11XC), Kennett, MO, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW74FPM15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FPM15), Dec 22, 1973: Hughes 269B (N11XC), Tulsa, OK, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76915. 58 KB in all.

- Record of interview of pilot (item 1, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20interview%20of%20pilot-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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