# NTSB LAX05CA263: Hughes 369D, N58431, North Las Vegas, NV, August 8, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2005, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: North Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.2, -115.183334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2000&lon=-115.1833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62186 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62186/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA263 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper use of the cyclic flight control and the flight instructor's inadequate 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 - autorotation - simulated, flightcrew - terrain condition - ground - cyclic - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The tail rotor and stinger were damaged during a full touchdown practice autorotation. During a 120-day recurrent training, the instructor pilot and commercial pilot were performing their fifth full-down autorotation. Both pilots were on the controls during the maneuver and the instructor pilot advised the commercial pilot to push the cyclic forward during the deceleration flare; however, the commercial pilot did not move it far enough and stinger impacted the ground, followed by the tail rotor. The tail rotor was substantially damaged and had to be replaced. No mechanical problems were reported with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2005, at 1115 Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 369D, N58431, collided with the ground during a practice autorotation at the North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, also the registered owner of the helicopter, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The instructor pilot and commercial pilot undergoing recurrency training were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter departed from North Las Vegas at 1030 that morning for the local area instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The instructor pilot reported that he was conducting a 120-day recurrent training for the commercial pilot. While performing their fifth full-down autorotation with both pilots on the controls, the stinger impacted the ground, followed by the tail rotor. Just prior to the ground contact in the flare, the instructor pilot advised the commercial pilot to push forward; however, the tail rotor impacted the ground. The tail rotor was substantially damaged and had to be replaced. The instructor pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. According to the Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21), "Care must be taken in the execution of the flare so that the cyclic control is not moved rearward so abruptly as to cause the helicopter to climb, nor should it be moved so slowly as to not arrest the descent, which may allow the helicopter to settle so rapidly that the tail rotor strikes the ground." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58431](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N58431), registered now, S/N 1290647D, built 1979 (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 SER 250HP](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-ser-250hp) (registry code 03002, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1290647D - Engines: Rolls Royce 250-C20B turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Las Vegas Metropolitan PD - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Destination: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Airport: VGT, North Las Vegas ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 57; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 8,391 total, 4,810 in this make and model, 76 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 52; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2 ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KVGT ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20050808028139I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050808028139I), Aug 8, 2005: Hughes 369D, Las Vegas, NV, Minor damage. (-23) On August 8, 2005, at approximately 1115 local time, helicopter N58431 (HU-369-D) damaged the anti-torque rotors during practice auto rotational full… ## Other investigations on N58431 (3) 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 CEN21LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA139), Feb 26, 2021: Hughes 369 (N58431), Kaufman, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low-level maneuvering. - [NTSB LAX99TA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99TA088), Jan 31, 1999: McDonnell Douglas 369D (N58431), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly judge the landing flare maneuver during a practice autorotative landing resulting in a hard landing. - [NTSB FTW80FQA36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FQA36), Jul 7, 1980: Hughes 369D (N58431), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage 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.