# NTSB GAA18CA159: Hughes 269, N9020M, Jacksonville, FL, March 10, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 10, 2018, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Jacksonville, FL - Coordinates: 30.387777, -81.524169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3878&lon=-81.5242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96858 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96858/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96858 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA159 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm during a practice autorotation, which resulted in ground contact and a dynamic rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that he entered a practice autorotation and intended to terminate the maneuver to a hover. During the flare phase of the maneuver, he allowed the rotor rpm to decay. He increased collective and subsequently added power with throttle. The nose of the helicopter yawed to the right and simultaneously the fuselage rolled to the left. He applied left pedal, but the left skid struck rising terrain and the helicopter entered dynamic rollover. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor drive system and the tail rotor drive system. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that he entered a practice autorotation and intended to terminate the maneuver to a hover. During the flare phase of the maneuver, he allowed the rotor RPM to decay. He increased collective and subsequently added power with throttle. The nose of the helicopter yawed to the right and simultaneously the fuselage rolled to the left. He applied left pedal, but the left skid struck rising terrain and the helicopter entered dynamic rollover. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor drive system and the tail rotor drive system. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9020M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9020M-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 64-18188, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269 (A) - 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: 64-18188 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 4093.8 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Skypro Industries Inc - Registered owner: Skypro Industries Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2017 - Departed: CRG, Jacksonville, FL - Destination: CRG, Jacksonville, FL - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 15, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,958 total, 301 in this make and model, 88 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KCRG, 3 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 20180310001899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180310001899A), Mar 10, 2018: Hughes 269A, Jacksonville, FL, Destroyed. Pilot stated he did not have any mechanical difficulty with aircraft and while performing a practice auto rotation into a vacant field, mismanaged the landing… ## Other investigations on N9020M (1) 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 MIA83LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA087), Mar 18, 1983: Hughes 269A (N9020M), St. Petersburg, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96858. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.