# NTSB MIA07CA103: Hughes 269A, N63HD, Las Piedras, PR, May 29, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 29, 2007, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Las Piedras, PR - Coordinates: 18.201665, -65.83889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.2017&lon=-65.8389&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 65873 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA07CA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65873/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA103 ## Probable cause The failure of the non-certificated pilot to maintain a proper rate of descent during the autorotative landing following a reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, resulting in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - lack of certification, pilot in command - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he took off from his home airstrip, and during the initial climb at 350 feet and 55 mph, the engine quit. At the time there were power lines in front of him so he opted to make a left 90-degree auto rotation. The helicopter was landed hard causing damage to the tail boom of the helicopter. The passenger stated that about 40 seconds after takeoff, he heard a "pop pop" noise. The aircraft started a fast descent and impacted the ground. His injuries include a burst L1 vertebra. Examination of the helicopter was performed by an FAA airworthiness inspector, which revealed the engine was turned by hand without binding. The aircraft's spark plugs were in good condition and the fuel filter was clean and non-obstructed; fuel was noted in the filter. The flight controls were found to be free and moving. No anomalies with the aircraft or engine were reported by the FAA inspector. Inspection of the aircraft's logbooks revealed that the last annual inspection was performed on June 01,1997. ## Factual narrative The non-certificated pilot stated he took off from his home and during the initial climb at 350 feet and 55 mph, the engine quit. At the time there were power lines in front of him so he opted to make a left 90-degree auto rotation. The helicopter was landed hard causing damage to the tail boom of the helicopter. The passenger stated that about 40 seconds after takeoff, he heard a "pop pop" noise. The aircraft started a fast descent and impacted the ground. His injuries include a burst L1 vertebra. Examination of the helicopter was performed by an FAA airworthiness inspector, which revealed the engine was turned by hand without binding. The aircraft's spark plugs were in good condition and the fuel filter was clean and non-obstructed; fuel was noted in the filter. The flight controls were found to be free and moving. No anomalies with the aircraft or engine were reported by the FAA inspector. Inspection of the aircraft's logbooks revealed that the last annual inspection was performed on June 01,1997. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63HD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63HD-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 67-16906, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269A - Registry model: [Hughes TH-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-th-55) (registry code 4471002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 67-16906 - Airframe hours: 98 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thunderbird Helicopters FLA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1997, 65 hours before - Departed: PR07, LAS PIEDRAS, PR - Destination: PR07, Las Piedras, PR - Airport: PR07, Boqueron ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; seat: right; flight hours: 98 total, 98 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: TJNR ## 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 20070529010929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070529010929A), May 29, 2007: Hughes TH55, Las Piedras, Destroyed. (-23) On 05/29/2007 at approx. 9:30 am the pilot [privacy data omitted] was flying his helicopter when after takeoff, and approx. 350 ft the engine lost power.… 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.