# NTSB CHI06CA029: Hughes 269A, N1020Q, Omaha, NE, November 5, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 5, 2005, 14:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Omaha, NE - Coordinates: 41.196109, -96.11222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1961&lon=-96.1122&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62928 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62928/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA029 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and the pilot's improper execution of the emergency procedure which resulted in an excessive descent rate and subsequent hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter was damaged during landing following a reported loss of engine power. The pilot reported that while on approach to hover, the engine lost power as he was passing through 60 feet above ground level. He stated that he "pulled back on the stick to slow down and enter autorotation, and began to roll off the throttle and lower the collective." He further stated; "Almost immediately I felt the power come up and the needles joined accompanied by the aircraft yawing. I attempted to apply power and recover but my rate of descent and altitude along with the adverse yaw complicated my recovery." The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground and slid to a stop. Postaccident examination of the helicopter failed to reveal any pre-impact anomalies. ## Factual narrative On November 5, 2005, about 1445 central standard time, a Hughes 269A helicopter, N1020Q, piloted by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage during landing following a reported loss of engine power. The helicopter was on approach to land on runway 30 (3,801 feet by 75 feet, concrete), at the Millard Airport, Omaha, Nebraska, when the loss of power occurred. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The local flight originated about 1440. The pilot held an airline transport certificate with a rating for multi-engine land airplanes. The certificate also listed commercial priveledges for Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Instrument Helicopter ratings. The pilot reported that while on approach to hover, the engine lost power as he was passing through 60 feet above ground level. He stated that he "pulled back on the stick to slow down and enter auto rotation, and began to roll off the throttle and lower the collective." He further stated; "Almost immediately I felt the power come up and the needles joined accompanied by the aircraft yawing. I attempted to apply power and recover but my rate of descent and altitude along with the adverse yaw complicated my recovery." The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground and slid to a stop. Postaccident examination of the helicopter failed to reveal any pre-impact anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1020Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1020Q), registered now, S/N 115-0426 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269A - Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 115-0426 - Engines: Lycoming HO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harry Barr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Omaha, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; last flight review January 1, 2005; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 5,906 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## Other investigations on N1020Q (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 DFW08CA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA120), Apr 27, 2008: Hughes 269A (N1020Q), Lincoln, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly execute a steep approach, which resulted in a tail strike and a loss of control. 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.