# NTSB LAX87LA339: Hughes 269C, N1101K, Freemont, CA, September 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1987, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Freemont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.499847, -121.960563 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4998&lon=-121.9606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA339
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA339

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - delayed, dual student (cause)
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION TO A FOREIGN NATIONAL, WHO HELD A U.S. PRIVATE HELICOPTER RATING. THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) RPRTD THAT DURING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION, HE ANNOUNCED TWICE FOR THE STUDENT TO FLARE AS THE HELICOPTER WAS PASSING THRU ABOUT 50' AGL. THE CFI THEN TOOK CONTROL & INITIATED A PWR RECOVERY. HOWEVER, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE & THEN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CONTACTED THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST 138' FROM WHERE IT INITIALLY TOUCHED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1101K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1101K-2011-02-18), registration cancelled 2011-02-18, S/N 311033, 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: 311033
- Airframe hours: 1366
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aris Helicopters Ltd
- Registered owner: Stephen B. Sullivan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 26, 1987, 39 hours before
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Q59, Freemont, runway 31, 2,310 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 660 total, 304 in this make and model, 567 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC

## 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 19870917053349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870917053349A), Sep 17, 1987: Hughes 269C, Freemont, CA, Destroyed. Student failed to begin a timely flare to land from a practice autorotation,CFI took over late. Plane hit tail first

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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