# NTSB GAA15CA061: Hughes TH 55, N7089S, Morganton, NC, May 5, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2015, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Morganton, NC - Coordinates: 35.821666, -81.610557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8217&lon=-81.6106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91134/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91134 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA061 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delayed flare during a simulated auto rotation, which resulted in a tail rotor strike and rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=4471002), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=4471002), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=4471002), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Tailstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md?model=4471002), [All aircraft, 124 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/091/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=4471002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Hughes TH-55, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=4471002), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a local flight a flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction remained in the traffic pattern to practice simulated auto rotations. The flight instructor reported that he was demonstrating a straight-in auto rotation with a full touchdown landing. He stated he flared too late, the tail rotor blades impacted the ground and the tail rotor assembly separated. Subsequently, the helicopter skidded on the grass and rolled over on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the tail boom. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During a local flight a flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction remained in the traffic pattern to practice simulated auto rotations. The flight instructor reported that he was demonstrating a straight-in auto rotation with a full touchdown landing. He stated he flared too late, the tail rotor blades impacted the ground and the tail rotor assembly separated. Subsequently, the helicopter skidded on the grass and rolled over on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the tail boom. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7089S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7089S-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 67-16817, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES TH 55 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Hughes TH-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55) (registry code 4471002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 67-16817 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 12891.6 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 2015 - Departed: MRN, Morganton, NC - Destination: MRN, Morganton, NC - Airport: MRN, Foothills Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 34; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 15, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,200 total, 78 in this make and model, 1,050 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 21, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,434 total, 137 in this make and model, 1,336 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KMRN ## 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 20150505006029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150505006029A), May 5, 2015: Hughes TH-55, Morganton, NC, Substantial damage. The CFI, [privacy data omitted], was performing a full down autorotation to get the feel of the aircraft prior to the student performing one of her own. The… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91134. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command – Flight Instructor) (item 2, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command%20%E2%80%93%20Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot Receiving Instruction) (item 3, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428573&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20Receiving%20Instruction)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Nose of Helicopter (Courtesy of Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Nose%20of%20Helicopter%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Aft Section of Helicopter (Courtesy of Operator) (item 5, .PDF, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Aft%20Section%20of%20Helicopter%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-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.