# NTSB LAX01LA053: Hughes 269C, N1097N, Carlsbad, CA, December 4, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 4, 2000, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, CA - Coordinates: 33.129962, -117.299133 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1300&lon=-117.2991&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50745 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50745/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA053 ## Probable cause The CFI's inadequate supervision and failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a practice autorotation. A contributing factor was the student's improper in-flight planning/decision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - cut/severed - autorotation - intentional, dual student - in-flight planning/decision - improper, dual student (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was for the certified flight instructor (CFI) to evaluate the skill level of the second pilot, and to provide any needed instruction. The CFI assigned the second pilot the task of performing an autorotation to a landing. During the approach the second pilot, who was handling the flight controls, was a little short of the desired touchdown mark and permitted the main rotor rpm to decrease. During the hard touchdown a rotor blade chopped off the tail boom. ## Factual narrative On December 4, 2000, about 1330 hours Pacific standard time, a Hughes 269C, N1097N, operated by Civic Helicopters, Inc., Carlsbad, California, landed hard at the McClellan-Palomar Airport, in Carlsbad. The tail boom was severed, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. Neither the airline transport certificated pilot, who held a flight instructor certificate, nor the pilot who was receiving a checkout were injured. The training flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Carlsbad about 1300. According to the flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was to observe the skill level of the second pilot, and to provide any needed instruction. The CFI assigned the second pilot the task of performing an autorotation to a landing on an airport helipad. During the approach the second pilot, who was handling the flight controls, was a "little short" of the desired touchdown mark. Main rotor rpm decreased, and upon touchdown a rotor blade chopped off the tail boom. The helicopter remained in an upright attitude. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1097N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1097N-2002-06-17), registration cancelled 2002-06-17, S/N 600934, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269C - 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: 600934 - Airframe hours: 9582 - Engines: Lycoming O-360H1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Civic Helicopter - Registered owner: Flight Trails Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2000, 66 hours before - Departed: CRQ - Airport: CRQ, Mcclellan-Palomar ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 167 °F, dew point 126 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CRQ ## 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 20001204024669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001204024669A), Dec 4, 2000: Hughes 269C, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During a power-off touchdown autorotation, the a/c landed hard with excessive tail-low attitude and low rotor RPM. The main rotor severed the tail boom.… 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.