# NTSB CHI02LA293: Hughes 269A, N1040S, Council Bluffs, IA, September 24, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 24, 2002, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Council Bluffs, IA - Coordinates: 41.259445, -95.760002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2594&lon=-95.7600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Des Moines FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55800 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55800/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA293 ## Probable cause The premature fracture of the cyclic/mixture bracket resulting in the inability to conduct a landing flare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - autorotation - simulated - flare - not possible, pilot in command - Hard landing, landing - rotorcraft flight control,cyclic control - fractured (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter landed hard despite cyclic being applied during an instructional flight in which a certified flight instructor (CFI) and a dual student, seeking a CFI certificate, were performing autorotations. Inspection of the wreckage revealed a fractured cyclic/mixture support attachment bracket. A major portion of the fracture surface contained a very dark discoloration. The discoloration was heavier on the forward side of the fracture, and there were portions of the fracture without discoloration on the aft side of the fracture. Prolonged ultrasonic cleaning in an acetone failed to remove significant amount of this discoloration. The discoloration covered more than 85 percent of the fracture surface. Examination of the fracture surface with a scanning electron microscope after cleaning revealed that the discolored areas had a rounded globular appearance, typical of casting porosity. Features typical of overstress separation were noted in areas without discoloration. The broken arm also contained a secondary crack that extended aft from near the forward edge. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 2002, at 1500 central daylight time, a Hughes 269A, N1040S, operated by Iowa Western Community College as a flight training aircraft, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Council Bluffs Municipal Airport (CBF), Council Bluffs, Iowa. The certified flight instructor and dual student were practicing autorotations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight originated from CBF about 1345. The dual student was receiving instruction in preparation for a certificated flight instructor certificate with a helicopter rating. The instructor stated that the day prior to the accident , he and the student had flown 3.2 hours performing various training maneuvers including touchdown autorotations, hovering autorotations, hovering, straight-in, and autorotations with a turn. On the day of the accident, the winds were from 170 degrees at 12 knots with peak gusts of 20 knots. An autorotation was started at 2,200 feet msl, 60 knots and abeam the pad. The instructor described the student's entry as excellent. The collective was reduced with corresponding needle split, the pedals were adjusted to keep the helicopter in trim, the cyclic was adjusted to a 50 knot attitude, and 180-degree turn was initiated. The rotor rpm was within limits through out the turn. About 1,800 feet msl, the turn was completed, the helicopter was aligned with the taxiway, in trim, airspeed slightly less than 55 knots, and the rotor rpm was in the green. At 1,500 msl, the instructor placed his left hand on the throttle and confirmed override. About 50 feet agl and just prior to deceleration, the instructor confirmed that the rotor rpm was in the green. The student started his deceleration by applying aft cyclic. About 8-12 feet agl, the student made his initial application and felt slight forward cyclic to level the helicopter was felt by the instructor. The initial pitch application was at the proper height and the proper descent. They both applied full collective with no results, and the helicopter fell thru and impacted the ground. Inspection of the wreckage revealed a fractured cyclic/mixture support attachment bracket which was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board's Materials Laboratory. Visual examination disclosed that a major portion of the fracture surface contained a very dark discoloration. The discoloration was heavier on the forward side of the fracture, and there were portions of the fracture without discoloration on the aft side of the fracture. Prolonged ultrasonic cleaning in an acetone failed to remove significant amount of this discoloration. The discoloration covered more than 85 percent of the fracture surface. Examination of the fracture surface with a scanning electron microscope after cleaning revealed that the discolored areas had a rounded globular appearance, typical of casting porosity. Features typical of overstress separation were noted in areas without discoloration. The broken arm also contained a secondary crack that extended aft from near the forward edge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1040S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1040S-2003-01-16), registration cancelled 2003-01-16, S/N 56-0534, built 1966 (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: 56-0534 - Airframe hours: 10383.7 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Iowa Western Community College - Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 2002, 54.5 hours before - Departed: CBF, Council Bluffs, IA - Destination: CBF - Airport: CBF, Council Bluffs Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 30, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 2,043 total, 75 in this make and model, 1,924 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 46; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 18, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 5,747 total, 814 in this make and model, 5,454 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: CBF ## 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 20020924034889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020924034889A), Sep 24, 2002: Hughes 269A, Council Bluffs, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) The instructor Mr. Mark bainbridge was giving flight instruction to Mr. Ronald rife practicing touchdown autorotations at the Council Bluffs, IA airport,… ## Other investigations on N1040S (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 CHI97LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA118), Apr 27, 1997: Hughes 269A (N1040S), Council Bluffs, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control, inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), and subsequent failure of the pilot(s) to properly flare the helicopter during a… 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.