# NTSB GAA19CA514: Hughes 269A, N653CH, Shamokin, PA, August 25, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 25, 2019, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Shamokin, PA - Coordinates: 40.836944, -76.552497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8369&lon=-76.5525&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100158 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA514 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100158/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100158 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA514 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare during an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=4470402), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that he was being evaluated for a pilot position with a perspective employer, who was an airplane pilot-rated passenger and occupied the right front seat. He was asked to perform an autorotation as part of the evaluation, and while entering the autorotation, he noticed that the rotor and engine needles were split and that the engine tachometer indicated 0 rpm. He believed that the engine had failed. The pilot maintained the rotor rpm in the green and entered a flare about 40 ft above ground level. He attempted to cushion the landing, but the helicopter landed hard. The pilot reported that he could not hear if the engine was running during the flight because he was wearing a noise-canceling headset. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the horizontal airframe tube cross-member. During postaccident examination of the helicopter, the throttle linkage functioned normally. All spark plugs were removed and examined and exhibited indications of normal combustion. A fuel sample was obtained through the sump valve, and no water or particulate contamination was found. No evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that he was being evaluated for a pilot position with a perspective employer, who was a pilot-rated passenger who occupied the right front seat. The pilot in the left seat was asked to perform an autorotation as part of the evaluation, and he complied. During the autorotation entry phase, the pilot noticed that the rotor and engine needles split, and the engine tachometer indicated 0 RPM, and the pilot believed that the engine had failed. The airplane pilot-rated passenger in the right seat, remarked that it was a, "helluva (needle) split." The pilot maintained the rotor RPM in the green and entered the flare about 40ft above the ground. He attempted to cushion the landing, but the helicopter landed hard. When asked during an interview with FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors, the pilot reported that he could not hear if the engine was running because he was wearing a noise canceling headset. The FAA Inspector that performed the post-accident helicopter examination reported that the throttle linkage functioned normally. All spark plugs were removed and examined with indications of normal combustion. A fuel sample was obtained through the sump valve and revealed no indication of water or particulate contamination. According to the FAA Inspector, the wreckage examination failed to identify any discrepancy or malfunction of the airframe, or its components, that would have contributed to the mishap." The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the horizontal airframe tube cross-member. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N653CH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N653CH), registered now, S/N 96-0653, built 1965 (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: 96-0653 - Year built: 1965 - Engines: Lycomiing HIO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kelley Aviation Consultants Llc - Registered owner: Kelley Aviation Consultants Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: N79, Shamokin, PA - Destination: N79, Shamokin, PA - Airport: N79, Northumberland County, runway 08, 3,297 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 378 total, 4 in this make and model, 311 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: KSEG, 14 nm away ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 17, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100158. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480031&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Complete Statement via 6120_1 (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Complete%20Statement%20via%206120_1-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation -Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 228 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480033&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20-Pilot-Master.PDF - FAA Post-Accident Airplane Examination (item 4, .PDF, 393 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480034&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Post-Accident%20Airplane%20Examination-Master.PDF - Photo (item 5, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480035&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.