# NTSB IAD98LA057: Hughes 269A, N8045H, Alexandria Bay, NY, May 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1998, 20:30 local (May 12, 1998, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Alexandria Bay, NY - Coordinates: 44.330318, -75.91027 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3303&lon=-75.9103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28297 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28297/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA057 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain rotor rpm during practice autorotation, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was receiving instruction from a flight instructor for the purpose of practicing touchdown autorotations towards attaining his instructor certificate. The pilot said that during the autorotation, the helicopter touched down hard on the left main landing gear. The left skid then separated and the helicopter rolled over to the left. The pilot said there was no mechanical malfunction with the helicopter, and the accident could have been prevented if the flight instructor had taken the controls. He said the instructor was a relatively new instructor. The pilot also stated that the flight instructor might have been hesitant to correct a more experienced pilot. The instructor reported over 440 hours of rotorcraft flight experience including, 41 hours in make and model. The pilot reported over 3,420 hours of rotorcraft flight experience, including 63 hours in make and model. Several attempts were made to contact the instructor without success. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1998, at 2030 eastern daylight time, N8045H, a Hughes 269-A, was substantially damaged when it landed hard during a practice autorotation at the Maxon Field, Alexandria Bay, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated flight instructor and commercial pilot were not injured. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the commercial pilot, the purpose of the flight was to practice touchdown autorotations toward attaining his instructor certificate. He said that during the autorotation, the helicopter touched down hard on the left main landing gear. The left skid then separated and the helicopter rolled over to the left. The pilot said there was no discussion how the autorotation should be done. He said, "...entered auto at 60 mph, 1,000 feet. [I] allowed the airspeed to drop to 55 without maintaining rotor rpm. Flare was entered at 50 ft...helicopter fell through possibly to excessive flare resulting in too much of a vertical drop." The pilot said there was no mechanical malfunction with the helicopter, and the accident could have been prevented if the instructor had taken the controls. He said the instructor was a relatively new instructor. He also stated that the flight instructor might have been hesitant to correct a more experienced pilot. The pilot reported over 3,420 hours of rotorcraft flight experience, including 63 hours in make and model. The flight instructor reported over 440 hours of rotorcraft flight experience, including 41 hours in make and model. Several attempts were made to contact the instructor including mailing the pilot/operator report. The report was returned to the NTSB with a note that he was no longer at the address on file with the FAA. There was no forwarding address available. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8045H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8045H), registered now, S/N 65-18240 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269A - Registry model: [Hughes TH-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55) (registry code 4471002) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 65-18240 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: North Country Helicopter Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NY01 - Airport: NY01, Maxon Field, runway 24, 4,300 × 90 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 440 total, 41 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19980511037189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980511037189A), May 11, 1998: Hughes TH55, Alexandria Bay, NY, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot was receiving instruction from a flight instructor for the purpose of practicing touchdown autorotations towards attaining his instructor… ## Other investigations on N8045H (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 GAA19CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA168), Mar 13, 2019: Hughes TH 55 (N8045H), Keene, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The helicopter’s collision with a bird during cruise flight. 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.