# NTSB GAA18CA168: Hughes 269, N11047, San Antonio, TX, March 14, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 14, 2018, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: San Antonio, TX - Coordinates: 29.336944, -98.471107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3369&lon=-98.4711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96892/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96892 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA168 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to relinquish the helicopter flight controls to a non-rated passenger during a 3 ft hover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Passenger (probable cause); 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. - [Enroute: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that he allowed his non-rated passenger to "try his hovering skills" at 3 ft above ground level. The pilot told the passenger, "you have the aircraft," and the pilot removed his hands from the flight controls. The passenger pushed the cyclic to its forward limit, and the helicopter impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail rotor drive systems, and the fuselage. 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 allowed his non-rated passenger to "try his hovering skills" at 3ft AGL. The pilot told the passenger, "You have the aircraft" and the pilot removed his hands from the flight controls. The passenger pushed the cyclic to its forward limit, and the helicopter impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail rotor drive systems, and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11047](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11047-2020-01-09), registration cancelled 2020-01-09, S/N 211031, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269 (C) - 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: 211031 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 3035 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-01A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Deer Trustee - Registered owner: John Deer Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2017 - Departed: SSF, San Antonio, TX - Destination: SSF, San Antonio, TX - Airport: SSF, Stinson Muni - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,854 total, 2,561 in this make and model, 5,644 as pilot in command, 2.2 in the last 90 days, 1.2 in the last 30 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KSSF ## 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 20180314023949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180314023949A), Mar 14, 2018: Hughes 269C, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. During hover taxi pilot allowed ex-army pilot to have the controls. The aircraft immediately dove into the ground. ## 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=96892. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 968 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464712&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.