# NTSB GAA15CA197: Hughes 269C, N58397, Atlanta, TX, July 21, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2015, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, TX - Coordinates: 33.119445, -94.163887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1194&lon=-94.1639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91616 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91616/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91616 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA197 ## Probable cause The non-helicopter rated pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner, who is not rated in helicopters, reported that he departed the airport and flew the helicopter for 4 miles before landing in a parking lot in the city. During the landing flare the tail rotor blades impacted the ground and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gear box and tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner, who is not rated in helicopters, reported that he departed the airport and flew the helicopter for 4 miles before landing in a parking lot in the city. During the landing flare the tail rotor blades impacted the ground and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor gear box and tail boom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58397](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58397), registered now, S/N 1090833, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1090833 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 5098 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-DIA 195 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2015 - Departed: ATA, ATLANTA, TX - Destination: ATA, ATLANTA, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,166 total, 1,048 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 17 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KTXK, 22 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 20150721013249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150721013249A), Jul 21, 2015: Hughes 269C, Atlanta, TX, Substantial damage. The pilot and his mechanic departed ata and landed in an open area inside Atlanta, TX city limits. Upon landing the tail struck the ground. The tail rotor… ## Other investigations on N58397 (2) 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. - [NTSB NYC99LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA217), Sep 1, 1999: Hughes 269C (N58397), Utica, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of total experience in helicopters. - [NTSB SEA84LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA153), Jul 2, 1984: Hughes 269C (N58397), Mt. St. Helens, WA, destroyed ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91616. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 578 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430538&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - On-Scene Pilot and Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On-Scene%20Pilot%20and%20Passenger%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Tail rotor gear box (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430541&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Tail%20rotor%20gear%20box%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.