# NTSB FTW96LA244: Hughes 269, N269A, Dallas, TX, June 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 1996, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Dallas, TX - Coordinates: 32.969409, -96.800209 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9694&lon=-96.8002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19859 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19859/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA244 ## Probable cause The student pilot's encounter with dynamic rollover while hovering. Factors were the prevailing high winds and the inadequate supervision provided by the flight instructor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, hover - dynamic rollover - encountered, dual student (cause) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, the training flight was planned to practice hover related maneuvers. The practice area was a smooth, flat, grassy area on the west side of the airport, between the control tower and the runway. With the instructor pilot monitoring the controls, the student pilot prepared to lift into a hover. The instructor pilot stated that, the helicopter was 'into the wind', the controls 'appeared to feel correct', and control inputs were 'slow, smooth, and deliberate'. The aircraft 'left the ground (not completely) right skid low' and began to roll to the right (the pilot stated that, he believed that the right skid did not break contact with the ground). Despite the instructors application of left lateral cyclic, the craft continued to roll to the right, resulting in the main rotor blades contacting the ground. Subsequently, the helicopter came to rest on its right side. The winds at the time of the accident were from 350 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 30. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 1996, at 1715 central daylight time, a Hughes 269 helicopter, N269A, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while attempting to hover at Addison Airport, Dallas, Texas. The certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The helicopter was owned and operated by PSF Enterprises, Terrell, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. In a telephone interview and on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the flight instructor reported the following information: The flight was pre-planned with the intent for the student pilot to practice hover related maneuvers. The practice area was a smooth, flat, grassy area on the west side of the airport, between the control tower and the runway. With the instructor pilot "riding the controls", the student pilot prepared to lift into a hover. The flight instructor stated that, the helicopter was "into the wind", the controls "appeared to feel correct", and control inputs were "slow, smooth, and deliberate." The aircraft "left the ground (not completely) right skid low", and began to roll to the right (the pilot stated that, he believed that the right skid did not break contact with the ground). Despite the instructor's application of left lateral cyclic, the craft continued to roll right, resulting in the main rotor blades contacting the ground. Subsequently, the helicopter came to rest on its right side. Examination of the helicopter by a FAA inspector revealed the following: Control lever positions; collective-"full up"; cyclic-"full right" (approximately centered forward & aft); Anti-torque pedals-"right pedal approximately 2 1/2 inches forward of left pedal." Mechanical control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the main rotor and tail rotor assemblies, and no missing components were noticed. The main rotor mast was found fractured approximately 8 inches above the transmission mount plate, and just above the mast support attachment point. Several dark spots (possible corrosion) were observed in the mast cylinder at the lower portion of the fractured area; however, most of the fracture surface area indicated evidence of overload failure. There was no evidence of long term fatigue cracking. The main rotor blades showed evidence of contact with the ground (dirt deposits on the leading edges). The entire swashplate assembly and the main rotor pitch change links appeared to be intact with minimal damage. No mechanical anomalies were found that could have been a factor in the cause of the accident. The winds at the time of the accident were from 350 degrees at 20 knots, gusting to 30 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N269A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N269A), registered now, S/N 1050403, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269 - 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: 1050403 - Airframe hours: 6879 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Psf Enterprizes - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 20, 1996 - Departed: ADS - Destination: ADS - Airport: ADS, Addison Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,055 total, 163 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ADS, 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 19960608013069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960608013069A), Jun 8, 1996: Hughes 269A, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft lifted off for hover excercise and rolled to the right. 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.