# NTSB FTW91LA150: Hughes 269A-1, N65372, No. Little Rock, AR, August 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1991, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: No. Little Rock, AR
- Coordinates: 34.839481, -92.329917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8395&lon=-92.3299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23388/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA150

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MAIN ROTOR RPM, HIS DELAYED FLARE, AND THE IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - penetrated

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING AN AUTOROTATION TO TOUCHDOWN TO HIS PASSENGER. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD WHICH RESULTED IN THE TAILBOOM BEING PENETRATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65372](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65372-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 15-0022, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A-1
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a-1) (registry code 4470404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 15-0022
- Airframe hours: 2153
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: North Little Rock Aviation
- Registered owner: Aerial Patrol, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 24, 1991, 26 hours before
- Departed: 1M1, NO. LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: M19, North Little Rock, runway 35, 3,000 × 15 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,815 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 7,605 as pilot in command, 259 in the last 90 days, 102 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910818035679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910818035679A), Aug 18, 1991: Hughes 269A1, Newport, AR, Substantial damage. CFI was demonstrating a practice autorotation to landing. Made firm landing, rotors struck tailboom.

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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