# NTSB LAX93LA227: Hughes 269C, N58407, Van Nuys, CA, May 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 1993, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Van Nuys, CA - Coordinates: 34.189311, -118.490425 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1893&lon=-118.4904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28392 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28392/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA227 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain the altitude while maneuvering toward the parking area. The student pilot's lack of total experience was a factor in this accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, taxi - aerial - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE STUDENT HELICOPTER PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A LOCAL AREA SOLO FLIGHT. AFTER PRACTICING SEVERAL TAKEOFFS AND APPROACHES THE STUDENT PILOT RETURNED TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND EXECUTED AN APPROACH TO A HOVER AT THE OPERATOR'S FACILITY. THE STUDENT PILOT THEN AERIAL TAXIED TO THE DESIGNATED PARKING AREA. WHILE MANEUVERING REARWARD TO LAND IN THE SPOT, THE HEEL OF THE SKIDS STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER TIPPED BACKWARD STRIKING THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES ON THE GROUND. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 1993, at about 1330 hours Pacific daylight time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N58407, struck the tail rotor while aerial taxiing to a parking area at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys, California. The noncertificated student pilot was completing a local visual flight rules solo flight. The helicopter, operated by Orbic Helicopters, Inc., VNY, sustained substantial damage. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed VNY at about 1250 hours. The operator reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that the student pilot had been practicing takeoffs and approaches at the practice area. The student pilot returned to VNY and executed an approach to a hover and then aerial taxied to the designated parking area. While maneuvering rearward toward the parking spot the heel of the skids struck the ground and the helicopter tipped backward striking the tail rotor blades on the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58407](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58407-2014-08-14), registration cancelled 2014-08-14, S/N 1190846, 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: 1190846 - Airframe hours: 3492 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Orbic Helicopters, Inc. - Registered owner: Mo-Laud Production Co. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 1993, 42 hours before - Airport: VNY, Van Nuys ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F ## 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 19930526015279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930526015279A), May 26, 1993: Hughes 269C, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Local solo. Approach to hover then aerial taxi to tiedown. Backing up heel of skids hit tipped backwards. Blades hit ## Other investigations on N58407 (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 FTW82DA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA251), Jun 28, 1982: Hughes 269C (N58407), Canadian, TX, 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.