# NTSB DFW08CA120: Hughes 269A, N1020Q, Lincoln, NE, April 27, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 27, 2008, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, NE
- Coordinates: 40.850555, -96.755554
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8506&lon=-96.7556&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA120

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly execute a steep approach, which resulted in a tail strike and a loss of control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The commercial rated pilot was practicing a steep approach in a single-engine helicopter, when she flared too low to the ground and the tail rotor struck the ground.  Subsequently, the tail rotor drive shaft failed and the pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter.  The rear portion of the right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over on to its side.  Examination of the helicopter revealed it sustained substantial damage to the mast, tail boom, and the right skid was torn from the fuselage.

## Factual narrative

The 35-year-old commercial rated pilot was practicing a steep approach in a single-engine helicopter, when she flared too low to the ground and the tail rotor struck the ground.  Subsequently, the tail rotor drive shaft failed and the pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter.  The rear portion of the right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over on to its side.  Examination of the helicopter revealed it sustained substantial damage to the mast, tail boom, and the right skid was torn from the fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1020Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1020Q), registered now, S/N 115-0426 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 115-0426
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chandra Clanton
- Registered owner: Advanced Air Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, Lincoln, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: right; flight hours: 1,672 total, 23 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20080427833159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080427833159A), Apr 27, 2008: Hughes 269A, Raymond, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was practicing steep approaches and when she flared, the tail rotor struck the ground. The impact caused torsional failure of the tail rotor…

## Other investigations on N1020Q (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 CHI06CA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA029), Nov 5, 2005: Hughes 269A (N1020Q), Omaha, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and the pilot's improper execution of the emergency procedure which resulted in an excessive descent rate and subsequent hard landing.

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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