# NTSB MIA91LA060: Hughes 269C, N9574F, Deland, FL, January 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1991, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Deland, FL
- Coordinates: 29.049697, -81.309135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0497&lon=-81.3091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA060

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE COMMERCIAL PILOT APPLICANT TO PULL COLLECTIVE PITCH AND DELAY BY THE CHECK AIRMAN TO PULL COLLECTIVE AND APPLY POWER TO RECOVER, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - collective - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - collective - delayed, check pilot (cause)
  - throttle/power control - delayed, check pilot (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A COMMERCIAL PLT CHECK RIDE, THE CHECK AIRMAN REDUCED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE TO SIMULATE AN ENG FAILURE.  THE APPLICANT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING & WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANEUVER WOULD BE COMPLETED TO A 3-FOOT HOVER.  AT 6 FT AGL, THE APPLICANT DID NOT PULL COLLECTIVE PITCH NOR APPLY POWER.  THE CFI TOOK CONTROL & APPLIED COLLECTIVE PITCH & POWER BUT THE DESCENT CONTINUED & THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN, BOUNCED, WAS RECOVERED TO A HOVER, & LANDED WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9574F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9574F-1995-06-12), registration cancelled 1995-06-12, S/N 340288 (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: 340288
- Airframe hours: 7300
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-01A 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Maverick Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Maverick Helicopters, Inc.
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 10, 1990, 99 hours before
- Airport: DED, Deland Mun-Taylor Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 14 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 19910102000869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910102000869A), Jan 2, 1991: Hughes 269C, Deland, FL, Substantial damage. Applicant for commerical rating failed to timely use collective to hover after autorotation. CFI took over late.

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.

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