# NTSB DEN88LA025: Hughes 269C, N11079, Grand Forks, ND, November 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1987, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Grand Forks, ND
- Coordinates: 47.919685, -97.069709 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9197&lon=-97.0697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - autorotation - attempted, dual student
  - throttle/power control - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE CFI WAS INSTRUCTING THE PVT RATED DUAL STUDENT IN SIMULATED FORCED LANDINGS. DURING THE POWER RECOVERY FOLLOWING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO REGAIN RPM AT FULL THROTTLE. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER AT TOUCHDOWN AND THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TERRAIN. A POST ACCIDENT ENGINE RUN PRODUCED FULL RATED POWER UNDER TEST CELL CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED FAILURE OF THE ENGINE TO RESPOND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11079](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11079-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 111006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C
- Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 111006
- Airframe hours: 2936
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: University Of North Dakota
- Registered owner: University Of North Dakota
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1987, 46 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 937 total, 71 in this make and model, 718 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19871119066639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871119066639A), Nov 19, 1987: Hughes 269C, Grand Forks, ND, Substantial damage. Student failed the power recovery on the practice autorotation. CFI unable to prevent impact. Aircraft rolled over.

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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