# NTSB DFW08CA114: Hughes 269A, N9064N, Killeen, TX, April 23, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 23, 2008, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Killeen, TX - Coordinates: 31.085832, -97.686386 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0858&lon=-97.6864&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fort Worth - NTSB case key (mKey): 67877 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67877/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA114 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM and a safe rate of descent during the autorotation. A contributing factor was the gusty winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis While practicing an autorotation maneuver, the pilot rolled the throttle back on and began a power recovery before reducing the throttle to continue the autorotation. The helicopter's airspeed decreased to approximately 40 knots at 300 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot attempted to go-around but was unable to increase the rotor RPM (rotations per minute.) The helicopter continued to sink as the flight instructor attempted to increase power and reduce the sink rate. The flight instructor lowered the helicopter's nose in an attempt to increase airspeed. At 50 feet AGL the pilot reported that a gust of wind decreased the helicopter's airspeed further resulting in an increased sink rate. The flight instructor flared the helicopter as it approached the ground. The helicopter contacted the ground and rolled coming to rest on its side. ## Factual narrative While practicing an autorotation maneuver, the pilot rolled the throttle back on and began a power recovery before reducing the throttle to continue the autorotation. The helicopter's airspeed decreased to approximately 40 knots at 300 feet above ground level (AGL). The pilot attempted to go-around but was unable to increase the rotor RPM (rotations per minute.) The helicopter continued to sink as the flight instructor attempted to increase power and reduce the sink rate. The flight instructor lowered the helicopter's nose in an attempt to increase airspeed. At 50 feet AGL the pilot reported that a gust of wind decreased the helicopter's airspeed further resulting in an increased sink rate. The flight instructor flared the helicopter as it approached the ground. The helicopter contacted the ground and rolled coming to rest on its side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9064N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9064N-2014-11-25), registration cancelled 2014-11-25, S/N 96-0657, 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: 96-0657 - Airframe hours: 7327 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-BIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vista Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2008, 56 hours before - Departed: ILE, Killeen, TX - Destination: ILE, Killeen, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 30; injuries: none; flight instructor, private, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 515 total, 250 in this make and model, 480 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 150 total, 80 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 18 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: ILE, 1 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 20080423833539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080423833539A), Apr 23, 2008: Hughes 269A, Killeen, TX, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted], a private helicopter pilot, working towards his commercial pilot certificate, and [privacy data omitted], CFI… 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.