# NTSB NYC05CA008: Hughes 269C, N7423F, Minerva, OH, October 10, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 10, 2004, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Minerva, OH
- Coordinates: 40.745834, -81.144165
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7458&lon=-81.1442&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60360
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60360/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA008

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during liftoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

As the pilot lifted the helicopter off the ground, it began to "tilt forward."  In an attempt to recover the pitch attitude, the pilot pulled back on the cyclic, and at the same time, the tail boom impacted the ground, and separated from the helicopter.  The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

On October 10, 2004, at 1200 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269C, N7423F, was substantially damaged during liftoff from the Minerva Airport (OH15), Minerva, Ohio.  The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight which was destined for the Barber Airport (2D1), Alliance, Ohio.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, as he lifted the helicopter off the ground, it began to "tilt forward."  In an attempt to recover the pitch attitude, the pilot pulled back on the cyclic, and at the same time, the tail boom impacted the ground, and separated from the helicopter.

The pilot reported receiving his private pilot certificate approximately 2 weeks prior to the accident.  At the time of the accident, he had accumulated 76 hours of flight time, in make and model.  Additionally, the pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter.

Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the tail boom and main rotor blades.

The winds reported at Barber Airport, about 17 miles to the northwest of Minerva, were from 360 degrees at 6 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7423F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7423F-2007-08-25), registration cancelled 2007-08-25, S/N 660512, built 1976 (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: 660512
- Airframe hours: 4481
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis Philippi
- Registered owner: Dennis Philippi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2004, 204 hours before
- Departed: OH15, Minerva, OH
- Destination: 2D1, Alliance, OH
- Airport: OH15, Minerva Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 1, 2004; flight hours: 286 total, 76 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observed at: CAK, 17 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 20041010029319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041010029319A), Oct 10, 2004: Hughes 269C, Minerva, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Started to take-off when he was light on the skids it went nose heavy. He pulled back and the skids and tail rotor dug into the ground and subsequently…

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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