# NTSB LAX92LA354: Hughes 269C, N9297F, Corona, CA, August 14, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 1992, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 27735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA354 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27735/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA354 ## Probable cause THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT; THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT; AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER USE OF THE TAIL ROTOR PEDALS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor) - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - carburetor heat - not used, dual student (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING PRACTICE AUTOROTATIONS AT REDUCED ENGINE RPM WITHOUT THE USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. ON THE FOURTH AUTOROTATION THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CFI ASSUMED THE CONTROLS AND CONTINUED WITH THE AUTOROTATION. WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS BETWEEN 7 TO 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE CFI APPLIED UP COLLECTIVE WITHOUT CORRECTING FOR THE INCREASED TORQUE (ROTOR PITCH INCREASE). THE HELICOPTER MADE AN ABRUPT LEFT TURN AND LANDED HARD CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SKIDS AND TAIL BOOM ASSEMBLY. THE ENGINE OPERATED NORMALLY WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS RECOVERED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE PREVAILING TEMPERATURE WAS 94 DEGREES F AND THE DEW POINT WAS 63 DEGREES F. ACCORDING TO THE FAA ICING PROBABILITY CHART THE CARBURETOR WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CARBURETOR ICING AT GLIDE POWER. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9297F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9297F-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 350408, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 350408 - Airframe hours: 4260 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hiser Helicopter, Inc. - Registered owner: Hiser Helicopter, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1992, 26 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 960 total, 51 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ONT, 10 nm away ## 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 19920814031929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920814031929A), Aug 14, 1992: Hughes 269C, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on practice autorotation. Landed hard in a yawing condition. Engine checked normal. Carb icing in area. ## Other investigations on N9297F (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 SEA00FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00FA038), Jan 18, 2000: Hughes 269C (N9297F), Sherwood, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots failure to arrest the helicopter's descent rate during a planned approach to a hover. Factors include uneven terrain. 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.