# NTSB CHI97LA118: Hughes 269A, N1040S, Council Bluffs, IA, April 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 27, 1997, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Council Bluffs, IA - Coordinates: 41.240524, -95.85044 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2405&lon=-95.8504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10554 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA118 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10554/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA118 ## 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 hover autorotation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - flare - not attained, flightcrew (cause) - Other gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,skid assembly - overload ## Analysis The flight instructor (CFI) reported that during the third practice hover to autorotation maneuver, from about at three feet above ground level (agl), the student pilot applied right rudder pedal and an increase of collective input to cushion the impact at one foot agl. The helicopter landed on the left skid first followed by the right skid. The left front section of the skid broke at the junction to the under carriage. Examination of the skid revealed an overload fracture originating from outboard towards the inboard of the left skid. The pilot's operating handbook stated that a power failure would be indicated by sudden yawing of the aircraft to the left and that the right amount of right rudder pedal input would be necessary to compensate for yawing. ## Factual narrative On April 27, 1997, at 1145 central daylight time (cdt), a Hughes 269A, N1040S, registered to Iowa Western Comm College, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, sustained substantial damage after the helicopter lost control and impacted terrain while practicing hover to autorotation maneuvering. The certified flight instructor and student pilot reported no injuries. The instructional 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Council Bluffs, Iowa, at 1145 cdt. According to the certified flight instructor's (CFI) written statement, he was conducting a series of practice hover to autorotation maneuvers for the student pilot. The CFI let the student pilot try the next two autorotation maneuvers which went well for the student, who had only approximately 9.5 hours. But on the third maneuver, the student pilot put in the correct amount of right rudder and applied an increase of collective input approximately one foot above the ground. The student did not make any abrupt cyclic inputs and as the skids touchdown the helicopter rolled towards the left and forward. According to the student pilot's written statement, he said as he was performing the third hover to autorotation maneuver "The power had been cut; the aircraft was descending nearly straight down as expected. We were straight into the wind and the aircraft was not yawing. My perception is that the left skid touched first and did not move at all. It was as if it just stuck to the ground. At that instant I was aware of a banging noise and the left skid broke. When this happened, the helicopter nosed over towards the left front and the rotor blades struck the ground." Examination the left skid revealed an overload fracture originating from outboard towards the inboard skid located at the junction to the undercarriage. The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) states for an engine failure below seven feet, a power failure is indicated by a sudden yawing of the aircraft to the left. Do not reduce collective pitch. Apply right pedal to prevent excessive yawing. Apply collective pitch as necessary in order to cushion landing. All autorotation maneuvers were conducted at a three foot hover. ## 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 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Iowa Western Comm College - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CBF - Destination: CBF - Airport: CBF, Council Bluffs Municipal, runway 35, 2,850 × 135 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 630 total, 145 in this make and model, 540 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19970427006549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970427006549A), Apr 27, 1997: Hughes 269A, Council Bluffs, IA, Substantial damage. Helicopter practicing hover/auto rotation, powered back. Struck left front nose, blades hit ground cut tail boom. ## 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 CHI02LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA293), Sep 24, 2002: Hughes 269A (N1040S), Council Bluffs, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The premature fracture of the cyclic/mixture bracket resulting in the inability to conduct a landing flare. 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.