# NTSB CEN12LA181: Sikorsky 269C, N1099N, Staples, TX, March 5, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 2012, 11:36 local (17:36 UTC) - Place: Staples, TX - Coordinates: 29.821111, -97.863052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8211&lon=-97.8631&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. - NTSB case key (mKey): 83067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83067/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83067 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA181 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper descent rate during autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the inflight vibrations and loss of torque pedal response for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Tail rotor drive system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046500): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046500/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis About 15 minutes into a cross-country flight, the pilot heard a "pop" that sounded "like metal breaking." He felt a violent vibration and loss of torque pedal response. The pilot reported that there was no change in rpm, and he performed a precautionary autorotation and landing due to the vibration. During the landing, the helicopter impacted the ground hard and the main rotor blades contacted the tailboom. On-scene and subsequent laboratory examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the pop and subsequent vibration could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 2012, about 1136 central standard time, a Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 269C helicopter, N1099N, impacted terrain during a precautionary landing following an in-flight pop sound and torque pedal vibrations near Staples, Texas. The private pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial tailboom damage. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Xotic Aviation LLC. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Day visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailed for the flight, which did not operated on a VFR flight plan. The flight originated from Fentress Airpark, near Fentress, Texas, about 1121, and was destined for Bulverde Airpark, near San Antonio, Texas. According to the pilot's accident report, about 15 minutes into the flight, he heard a "pop" sound "like metal breaking." He felt a violent vibration and loss of torque pedal response. The pilot reported that there was no change in "RPM" and he performed a precautionary landing due to the vibration. The helicopter impacted terrain hard and the main rotor blades impacted the tailboom. The engine was shut down by the pilot after the landing. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for rotorcraft-helicopter. His last Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical was issued on August 24, 2011, with no limitations. The pilot reported that he had accumulated 143 hours of total flight time, of which 100 hours were in same make and model as the accident helicopter. He indicated flying 21 hours in the last 90 days and 10 hours in the last 30 days. FAA inspectors and a manufacturer's safety investigator examined the helicopter. The helicopter wreckage debris field was approximately 100 yards long. The cockpit mounted Hobbs meter indicated 479.9 hours. The cockpit flight controls exhibited continuity. The tailboom was partially separated at its middle section just forward of the center attach fitting. The left tailboom support strut tube was separated at the tailboom end through the bolt holes attaching the tube to its end fitting. Tail rotor controls exhibited continuity up to the separated points of the tailboom and its rod ends safety wired hardware was intact. Drive system rotation was confirmed at the lower pulley shaft, the overrunning clutch, and up to the separated end of the tail rotor drive shaft. A main rotor damper assembly with blade grip attachment bracket and its hardware was retained for further examination. Maintenance records showed that the helicopter's total time at its last maintenance work on February 8, 2012, was 10,037.2 hours and its Hobbs meter indicated 460.2 hours. The last maintenance in the logbook was the installation of a repaired main rotor blade. The last annual inspection was performed on January 24, 2012. A National Transportation Safety Board senior materials engineer examined the retained damper items. A manufacturer's periodic extension-under-loadtest was applied to the damper and the damper met the test's specifications. Separation surfaces present on the damper assembly were consistent with overload and no evidence of preexisting cracks were observed. No anomalies were detected that would have precluded normal operations. The reason for the pop and subsequent vibration was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1099N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1099N-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 700939, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION 269C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 700939 - Airframe hours: 10057 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Xotic Aviation LLC. - Registered owner: Xotic Aviation LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 2012 - Departed: XS90, FENTRESS, TX - Destination: 1T8, SAN ANTONIO, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 100 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.36 inHg - Observed at: HYI, 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 20120305028769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120305028769A), Mar 5, 2012: Hughes 269C, Staples, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot said that they were flying straight and level around 500 feet. They heard a metal pop sound and the aircraft went tinto a vigorous vibration and loss of… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83067. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364527&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 13-081 (item 3, .PDF, 831 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40401043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2013-081-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous - Communication Summary (item 4, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405361&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20-%20Communication%20Summary-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. --- 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.