# NTSB ERA10LA172: Hughes 369, N8618F, Naples, FL, March 11, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 11, 2010, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Naples, FL - Coordinates: 26.152221, -81.775833 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1522&lon=-81.7758&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75476 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75476/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75476 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA172 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive aft cyclic imput during the flare following an practice autorotation, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tail boom. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Main rotor system: main rotor blade system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Standing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a helicopter flight review, the pilot completed three practice autorotations to a landing. After the third landing, the pilot heard a "thud" and no longer had use of the anti-torque pedals. Upon inspection, the tail boom was found to be severed. The cut was consistent with the tip path plane of the main rotor striking the boom, likely from excessive aft cyclic application during the flare. No flight control anomalies were reported by either crewmember. ## Factual narrative On March 11, 2010, about 0830 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N8618F, was substantially damaged following a landing at Naples Municipal Airport (APF), Naples, Florida. The certificated commercial pilot and airline transport pilot-rated check pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to complete a yearly check ride, which included all basic flight maneuvers and autorotations to landing. On the third autorotation, after touch-down, the pilot heard a "thud" and "no longer had use of the anti-torque pedals." The check pilot visually observed damage to the tail section. The helicopter was shut down and both pilots exited normally. The pilot stated that upon further inspection, it appeared that "one or more of the rotor blades had struck the tail boom and severed the tail." The pilot also noted that the accident could have been prevented if the cyclic was "forward to neutral on and after touchdown." The APF automated weather observation, at 0853, reported winds from 130 degrees at 12 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, overcast clouds at 1,500 feet, temperature 22 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 20 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.83 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8618F (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 369 (D) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 570126D - Airframe hours: 3249 - Engines: ALLISON 250C 375 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Collier Mosquito Control District - Registered owner: Collier Mosquito Control District - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 2010, 4 hours before - Departed: APF, Naples, FL - Destination: APF, Naples, FL - Airport: APF, Naples Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 9, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 3,410 total, 158 in this make and model, 2,790 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Check pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 21, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 14,024 total, 1,524 in this make and model, 12,825 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Check pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 21, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 14,024 total, 1,524 in this make and model, 12,825 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: APF ## 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 20100311031329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100311031329A), Mar 11, 2010: Hughes 369D, Naples, FL, Substantial damage. While conducting yearly check ride [privacy data omitted] made a hard landing from a full autoration. One of the main rotor blades struck the tail boom, thus… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 29, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75476. 422 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 422 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.