# NTSB LAX96LA217: Hughes 269B, N9332F, Georgetown, CA, June 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 1996, 09:48 local (16:48 UTC) - Place: Georgetown, CA - Coordinates: 38.930061, -120.769859 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9301&lon=-120.7699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 8, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29459 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29459/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA217 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), while practicing an autorotation, which resulted in a forced landing; and the flight instructor's misjudged landing flare during the emergency autorotation/landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command(cfi) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis During a dual instructional lesson, the CFI initiated a practice autorotation from 1,000 feet above ground level (agl) while in the traffic pattern. The CFI reported that as the helicopter descended through 800 feet agl, all engine power was suddenly lost and the practice maneuver turned into a forced landing. Just prior to experiencing the engine power loss, all instruments had been in the green. The CFI further stated that the helicopter touched down softly at the approach end of the runway with a forward speed between 2 and 3 miles per hour. Thereafter, the helicopter tipped forward, shook violently, and the main rotor blade contacted the airframe which resulted in substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 1996, at 0948 hours Pacific daylight time, the pilot of a Hughes 269B, N9332F, initiated a practice autorotation from 1,000 feet above ground level (agl) while in the traffic pattern at the Georgetown Airport, Georgetown, California. At the time, the certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing dual instruction to his student. The aircraft was substantially damaged and there were no injuries. The flight originated at 0920 from private property in Foresthill, California. The CFI reported that as the helicopter descended through 800 feet agl, all engine power was suddenly lost and the practice maneuver turned into a forced landing. Just prior to experiencing the engine power loss, all instruments had been "in the green." The CFI further stated that the helicopter touched down softly at the approach end of the runway with a forward speed between 2 and 3 miles per hour. Thereafter, the helicopter tipped forward, shook violently, and the main rotor blade contacted the airframe which resulted in substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9332F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9332F-2017-02-17), registration cancelled 2017-02-17, S/N 0039, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269B - Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 690039 - Airframe hours: 3200 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Erik Vandagriff - Registered owner: Rick Patterson, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1996, 70 hours before - Departed: Q61, FORESTHILL, CA - Destination: Q61, CA - Airport: Q61, Georgetown, runway 16, 2,980 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,433 total, 53 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 150 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19960601012369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960601012369A), Jun 1, 1996: Hughes 269B, Georgetown, CA, Substantial damage. Practice autorotation reported power was lost. Reported soft forced landing but rocked forward. Rotors hit airframe ## Other investigations on N9332F (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 ANC87LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA008), Oct 22, 1986: Hughes 300-269B (N9332F), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA74FYE43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74FYE43), Apr 18, 1974: Hughes 269B (N9332F), Seattle, WA, no damage - [NTSB SEA68A0059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68A0059), Mar 15, 1968: Hughes 269B (N9332F), Walla Walla, WA, 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.