# NTSB ERA15CA364: Hughes 269B, N141LL, Hartford, AL, September 19, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 19, 2015, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Hartford, AL - Coordinates: 31.129444, -85.653892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1294&lon=-85.6539&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA- Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA364 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92002/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92002 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA364 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and his subsequent failure to attain adequate altitude during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a wire fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot was departing from a field at a family farm and attempted to clear an adjacent driveway when the left skid toe caught on the top of a wire fence. The pilot applied aft cyclic in an attempt to climb; however, the helicopter rolled to the left and impacted the ground. The main rotor, tail rotor, and airframe sustained substantial damage. Subsequent examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions which would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported about 3,900 hours of total flight experience in rotorcraft, which included 160 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. He further reported that the accident could have been prevented had he conducted a walk around of the takeoff area to better evaluate prospective hazards. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the helicopter was taking off from a field at farm, and attempted to clear a driveway, when the left skid toe caught on the top of a wire fence. The pilot applied aft cyclic in an attempt to climb; however, the helicopter rolled to the left and impacted the ground. The main rotor, tail rotor, and airframe sustained substantial damage. Subsequent examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions which would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported about 3,900 hours of total flight experience in rotorcraft, which included 160 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. He further reported that the accident could have been prevented had he conducted a walk around of the takeoff area to better evaluate prospective hazards. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N141LL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N141LL-2021-01-09), registration cancelled 2021-01-09, S/N 670318, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B - Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1a) (registry code 41818, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 670318 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 5092 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Eagel Aviation Academy - Registered owner: Smith Suzanne - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2015 - Departed: 54J, DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, FL - Destination: Hartford, AL - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,154 total, 160 in this make and model, 4,856 as pilot in command, 214 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: OZR, 15 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 20150919016339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150919016339A), Sep 19, 2015: Hughes 269B, Hartford, AL, Substantial damage. While transitioning from a hover to forward flight at near maximum gross takeoff weight and with a density altitude of approximately 2200 feet, the helicopter… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 22, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92002. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Occupant Statements (item 2, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435158&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Occupant%20Statements-Master.PDF - FAA Interview Memorandum (item 3, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435159&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Interview%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435160&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.