# NTSB LAX01LA305: Hughes 369D, N268ST, Carlsbad, CA, September 23, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 2001, 12:37 local (19:37 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, CA - Coordinates: 33.128334, -117.279998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1283&lon=-117.2800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 53500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53500/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA305 ## Probable cause A hard landing due to the dual student's failure to maintain main rotor speed, his improper landing flare, and the flight control interference by the flight instructor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, approach - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - autorotation - initiated, dual student - Undershoot, descent - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (cause) - flare - improper, dual student (cause) - control interference - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis During training, the flight instructor (CFI) directed his student to perform a full touchdown autorotation, and the maneuver commenced. While descending, the student allowed the main rotor rpm to decay. Also, the CFI recognized that the desired touchdown location was farther than their flight profile would allow, so he attempted to "stretch the glide distance" by using collective rather than by adding engine power. The landing flare was delayed, and when touchdown occurred the main rotors impacted the tail boom. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 2001, about 1237 Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N268ST, made a hard landing at the Palomar Airport, Carlsbad. The helicopter was substantially damaged. Neither the certified flight instructor (CFI), who possessed an airline transport pilot certificate, nor the student pilot, who possessed a commercial pilot certificate, was injured. The helicopter was operated by Civic Helicopters, Inc., Carlsbad. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the instructional flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Carlsbad about 1215. According to the CFI, the accident occurred while he was instructing his student in the performance of a forced landing. The specific maneuver involved a simulated engine failure at 500 feet above ground level followed by an autorotation to touchdown. During the autorotation, the student allowed the main rotor rpm to decay below 100 percent. The CFI additionally reported that he recognized the desired touchdown location was farther than their flight profile would allow, so he attempted to "stretch the glide distance" by using collective. The main rotor rpm decreased, and during the touchdown/landing sequence the main rotor blade impacted the tail boom. The student stated that he was acquiring refresher flight training provided by the CFI. During the flight, the CFI specified the requisite maneuver and indicated how it was to be performed. The CFI indicated to him that he "would also be on the controls" during the maneuver. According to the student, he thought that during the autorotation the helicopter was going to touchdown short of the designated landing spot, and he announced his intention to perform a power recovery. At this time, the CFI manipulated the controls to extend the glide distance, and a power recovery was not made. The student further stated that during touchdown, a thumping noise was heard. During the flight crew's subsequent damage assessment inspection, evidence of main rotor blade impact damage was noted. Also, the tail boom with its horizontal and vertical stabilizers had been bent 180 degrees downward. The airport manager reported that the accident occurred at 1237 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N268ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N268ST-2018-03-21), registration cancelled 2018-03-21, S/N 470122D, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 369D - Registry model: [Hughes Helicopters HUGHES 369D](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-helicopters-hughes-369d) (registry code 4470706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C20 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c20-series) (registry code 03020, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 470122D - Airframe hours: 5266 - Engines: Allison 250C29B 420 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Civic Helicopters, Inc. - Registered owner: Chin Yi Tu - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Destination: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Airport: CRQ, Mc Clellan-Palomar ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 20, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 15,127 total, 4,150 in this make and model, 15,082 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 13, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 3,175 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 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 20010923026969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010923026969A), Sep 23, 2001: Hughes 369D, Carlsbad, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 23, 2001, about 1315 hours pacific daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N268ST, operated by civic helicopters, inc., Carlsbad, California, made a… ## Other investigations on N268ST (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 LAX06LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA015), Oct 19, 2005: Hughes 369D (N268ST), Avalon, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout and obstacle clearance altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines. Factors in the accident were the position of the sun… 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.