# NTSB GAA19CA463: Hughes 269A, N269RR, Springfield, TN, July 24, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2019, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Springfield, TN - Coordinates: 36.532501, -86.924163 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5325&lon=-86.9242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99960 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA463 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99960/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99960 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA463 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control and a loss of tail rotor effectiveness while hover-taxiing and turning toward a taxiway in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. ## 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 269A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: 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) - [Taxi-from runway: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, after landing and while hover taxiing and turning right toward the taxiway, the helicopter continued turning right and drifted past the taxiway. He applied full left pedal and then closed the throttle to perform an autorotation to decrease the speed of rotation to no avail. He added collective to reduce the descent rate, but the helicopter landed and slid into a drainage ditch, the main rotor blades impacted a berm near the taxiway, and the helicopter came to rest on its side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from 320° at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot landed the helicopter on runway 04 and was turning right. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that, after landing, while hover taxiing and turning right onto the taxiway, the helicopter continued the right turn and drifted off the taxiway. He applied full left pedal to no avail, so he closed the throttle to perform an autorotation to decrease the speed of rotation, also to no avail. He added collective to reduce the rate of descent, but the helicopter landed and slid into a drainage ditch, the main rotor blades impacted a berm near the taxiway, and the helicopter came to rest on its side against the berm. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported the wind was from 320° at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot landed the helicopter on runway 04 and was turning to the right. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N269RR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N269RR-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 105-0410, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269A (No Series) - 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: 105-0410 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 4353.7 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2019 - Departed: CKV, Clarksville, TN - Destination: M91, Springfield, TN - Airport: M91, Springfield Robertson County, runway 04, 5,505 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial, private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 13, 2018; seat: right; flight hours: 2,698 total, 57.9 in this make and model, 1,408.8 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots, gusting 13 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KJWN, 21 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 20190724016109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190724016109A), Jul 24, 2019: Hughes 269A, Springfield, TN, Substantial damage. Helicopter was current for maintenance considerations, annual, 100 hour, completed on day of accident. Owner was giving free rides to family and friends. One… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99960. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476394&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.