# NTSB CHI90LA231: Hughes 369E, N841LA, Grand Forks, ND, August 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1990, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Grand Forks, ND
- Location: 47.9196° N, 97.0873° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Forks, ND, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9196&lon=-97.0873&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA231

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S (CFI'S) DELAY IN TAKING REMEDIAL ACTION AFTER HE AND/OR THE STUDENT FAILED TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT FOR A RUN-ON LANDING.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PROXIMITY OF THE BARRACADE AND THE STUDENT'S DELAY IN RELINQUISHING CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper touchdown point - not attained (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - relinquishing of control - delayed, dual student (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wall/barricade (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) AND DUAL STUDENT WERE MAKING A RUN-ON LANDING WITH THE CFI RIDING THE CONTROLS AS THE DUAL STUDENT FLEW THE HELICOPTER.  THE STUDENT WAS USING THE THROTTLE FOR YAW CONTROL. REPORTEDLY, HE ROLLED OFF TOO MUCH THROTTLE, AND THE CFI ANNOUNCED, 'I HAVE IT.'  THE STUDENT WAS SLOW TO RELINQUISH AND THE CFI EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY ROLLING THE THROTTLE UP WITH THE STUDENT STILL ON THE CONTROLS.  THE CFI INITIATED A FLARE, BUT THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK A VEHICLE BARRICADE.  THE BARRICADE WAS LOCATED NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY, AND IT PROJECTED ABOUT 12 INCHES ABOVE THE RUNWAY SURFACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N841LA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 369E
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0019E
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 420 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: University Of North Dakota
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GFK, GRAND FORKS, ND
- Airport: 6NA9, Sky Ranch Arpt, runway 35, 2,600 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,171 total, 140 in this make and model, 1,903 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFK, 5 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 19900814037129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900814037129A), Aug 14, 1990: Hughes 369E, Grand Forks, ND, Destroyed. During run on landing tail rotor hit a barrier. Helicopter crashed and destroyed. CFI blamed student on controls.

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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