# NTSB NYC90LA134: Hughes 269A, N110ES, Pittstown, NJ, June 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1990, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Pittstown, NJ
- Location: 40.5659° N, 74.9793° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SKY MANOR (N40), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5659&lon=-74.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA134

## Probable cause

GROUND RESONANCE DUE TO INADEQUATE SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE LANDING GEAR DAMPERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - idling rotors
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - life expired (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST LANDED AFTER A SOLO HELICOPTER TRANSITION FLIGHT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN SHE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND ROLLED OFF THE THROTTLE. THE HELICOPTER ENTERED GROUND RESONANCE AND WAS DESTROYED. POST-CRASH EXAMINATION SHOWED ONE OF THE LANDING GEAR DAMPERS HAD DRIED HYDRAULIC FLUID RESIDUE ON THE BOOT AND PISTON, AND HAD COLLAPSED. TWO OTHER LANDING GEAR DAMPERS WERE ABLE TO BE COMPRESSED BY HAND. ACCORDING TO SCHWEIZER ACFT CO., PROPERLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED LANDING GEAR DAMPERS WILL NOT COLLAPSE DURING GROUND RESONANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N110ES](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N110ES), registered now, S/N 58-0860 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HUGHES 269A
- Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 58-0860
- Airframe hours: 4687
- Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360-B1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: B C Helicopter
- Registered owner: Francis Kalanty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 27, 1990, 92 hours before
- Departed: N40, PITTSTOWN, NJ
- Airport: N40, Sky Manor

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 430 total, 10 in this make and model, 365 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Temperature: 81 °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 19900621021489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900621021489A), Jun 21, 1990: Hughes 269A, Pittstown, NJ, Destroyed. Student landed helicopter on ramp. While waiting for CFI ground resonance destroyed helicopter. Worn gear dampers.

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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