# NTSB LAX03CA264: Hughes 269C, N58363, Columbia, CA, August 25, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 25, 2003, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CA
- Coordinates: 37.905555, -120.493057
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9056&lon=-120.4931&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA264

## Probable cause

the student pilot's improper execution of the autorotation.  Also causal, was the CFI's delayed remedial action and supervision of the flight.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - emergency procedure - simulated
  - autorotation - initiated, dual student
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - autorotation - improper, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

The helicopter collided with terrain during a practice autorotative landing in a open field.  The CFI was preparing the student  for his commercial helicopter add-on rating.  During the fourth autorotation landing attempt, the student held the landing flare too long and too low to the ground.  The CFI felt the tail rotor strike the ground.  He then came on to the controls and landed the helicopter after it had yawed 180 degrees.

## Factual narrative

On August 25, 2003, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 269C, N58363, collided with terrain during a practice autorotation landing in an open field 6 miles southwest of Columbia Airport, Columbia, California.  The helicopter was operated by the certified flight instructor (CFI)/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The CFI and student pilot were not injured, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.  The flight originated at Columbia Airport about 1130.

The CFI stated in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the student was preparing for his commercial helicopter add-on rating.  They were practicing autorotations to an open field.  During the fourth autorotation landing attempt, the student held the landing flare too long and too low to the ground.  The CFI felt the tail rotor strike the ground.  He then came onto the controls and landed the helicopter after it had yawed 180 degrees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N58363](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58363), registered now, S/N 690796, built 1979 (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: 690796
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-D1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: D-Bar Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: O22, Columbia, CA
- Destination: O22, Columbia, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 28; commercial; medical: class 2; flight hours: 847 total, 725 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days
- Student pilot; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,000 total, 80 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20030825020949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030825020949A), Aug 25, 2003: Hughes 269C, Columbia, CA, Minor damage. (-23) Instructional flight, steve dunbar acting as the CFI. The private helicopter rated pilot was acting as PIC and was performing a power off autorotation.…

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.

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