# NTSB CHI87LA150: Hughes 300C, N3625B, Aurora, IL, June 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1987, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Aurora, IL
- Location: 41.7719° N, 88.4757° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at AURORA MUNI (ARR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7719&lon=-88.4757&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA150

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - autorotation - performed
  - miscellaneous - vibration (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - rotor rpm - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

WHILE THE STUDENT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) WERE ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, A DECISION WAS MADE TO PRACTICE AN AUTOROTATION & SIMULATED TAIL ROTOR FAILURE. RPRTDLY, A SMOOTH TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE, BUT THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CFI ELECTEDTO GET THE HELICOPTER AIRBORNE AGAIN, BUT STATED THAT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT RPM TO MAINTAIN FLT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER MADE TWO 360 DEG TURNS TO THE RGT & CONTACTED THE GROUND. NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE HELICOPTER WAS RPRTD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3625B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3625B-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N S1175, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 300C
- 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: 51175
- Airframe hours: 1297
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Eagle Air Helicopter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hud Helicopter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1986, 97 hours before
- Airport: ARR, Aurora Muni, runway 18, 3,199 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 493 total, 493 in this make and model, 467 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARR

## 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 19870617020649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870617020649A), Jun 17, 1987: Hughes 269C, Aurora, IL, Substantial damage. Ground resonance caused by vibration occurred on practice. Tail rotor failure landing. Main rotors chopped off tail

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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