# NTSB MIA90FA117: Hughes 269C, N58275, Fort Pierce, FL, May 9, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 1990, 16:03 local (20:03 UTC) - Place: Fort Pierce, FL - Coordinates: 27.370668, -80.310356 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3707&lon=-80.3104&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 32559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32559/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA117 ## Probable cause IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN DURING THE AUTOROTATION BY THE DUAL STUDENT (ATP), HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI, AND INADEQUATE CREW COORDINATION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OBSTRUCTION (TAXIWAY LIGHT). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - autorotation - performed, dual student - touchdown - improper, dual student (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - crew/group coordination - inadequate (cause) - relinquishing of control - not performed, dual student - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - runway light (contributing factor) - Roll over, landing ## Analysis THE HELICOPTER WAS ON A VFR CLIMBOUT FROM A PARALLEL TAXIWAY. THE CFI, WHO WAS ALSO THE PIC, WAS PROVIDING INSTRUCTION TO AN ATP WORKING TOWARDS A CFI RATING. THE CFI INITIATED A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE AT 200 FEET AGL AND 60 KTS. THE ATP BEGAN AN AUTOROTATION. AFTER COMPLETING THE DECELERATION AND INITIAL PITCH PULL, THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE GROUND, BOUNCED UP, AND SLID TO THE RIGHT AND REARWARD. THE ATP SAW A TAXIWAY LIGHT AND INCREASED COLLECTIVE TO AVOID A COLLISION, BUT EXPERIENCED RESISTANCE ON THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE CFI HAD NOT SEEN THE TAXIWAY LIGHT, BUT NOTICED A DECAY IN ENGINE/ROTOR RPM. HE IMMEDIATELY APPLIED DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON THE COLLECTIVE AND LEFT FORWARD CYCLIC TO STOP THE HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT AND LEVEL THE HELICOPTER. THE CFI STATED THAT HE INFORMED THE ATP, HE HAD THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, WHICH COULD NOT BE SUBSTANTIATED BY THE ATP. THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE TAXIWAY LIGHT AND TAXIWAY WITH THE RIGHT SKID, THEN ENTERED A DYNAMIC ROLLOVER. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N58275](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N58275-1990-06-01), registration cancelled 1990-06-01, S/N 1190849 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269C - Registry model: [Hughes 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269c) (registry code 4470504) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1190849 - Airframe hours: 3559 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-D1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Flight Safety International - Registered owner: Flight Safety International - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 4, 1990, 14 hours before - Departed: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL - Airport: FPR, St Lucie County Intl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 15 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FPR ## 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 19900509016489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900509016489A), May 9, 1990: Hughes 269C, Fort Pierce, FL, Destroyed. Student and CFI were on controls while trying to land from a simulated autorotation. Skid hit light. Dynamic roll. ## Other investigations on N58275 (2) 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 MIA90LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA076), Mar 2, 1990: Hughes 300C (N58275), Vero Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND/INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM AFTER LANDING FROM A TOUCHDOWN AUTOROTATION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION. - [NTSB MIA86LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA074), Feb 12, 1986: Hughes 269C (N58275), Vero Beach, FL, 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.