# NTSB SEA05CA149: Hughes 269A, N801CP, Laurel, MT, July 21, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2005, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Laurel, MT - Coordinates: 45.703056, -108.761108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7031&lon=-108.7611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62038 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62038/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA149 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while executing a pinnacle approach, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - pinnacle ## Analysis The commercial pilot was taking his initial flight instructor check ride in the helicopter with an FAA inspector acting as the check pilot. According to the pilot, during performance of a pinnacle approach, on final approach, about 300 to 400 yards from the pinnacle, he "got a bit shallow." He informed the check pilot that he "was going to level-off to regain a steep approach angle." After correcting the approach angle, he then continued the descent. Toward the end of the approach, the pilot began increasing lift to terminate the approach at a hover. He "had to do this somewhat early as we were still a bit high and a bit too far from the pinnacle." As he started to glance at the instruments, the check pilot called for a go-around. The pilot began the go-around (increasing collective and adding forward cyclic) and "then noticed our RPMs were low." According to the check pilot, "the approach to the pinnacle was a little shallow, but for the wind conditions was acceptable. At approximately 50 feet above the pinnacle, and with about 40 knots airspeed, the approach began to get steeper. I called for a go around. [The pilot] responded by lowering collective and moving aft on the cyclic." The check pilot "noticed the airspeed slow to around 20 knots" and "observed a reduction in rotor RPM and a large increase of manifold pressure." The helicopter began to yaw to the right rotating approximately 280 to 300 degrees clockwise prior to impacting the ground on its right side. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2005, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Hughes 269A helicopter, N801CP, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain following a loss of control during a pinnacle approach near Laurel, Montana. The commercial pilot, who was taking a check ride for his initial flight instructor rating, was not injured, and the check pilot, who was an FAA inspector, sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Northern Skies Aviation, Inc., of Laurel. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local flight that departed from the Laurel Municipal Airport about 1050. According to the commercial pilot, during the final approach, about 300 to 400 yards from the pinnacle, he "got a bit shallow." He informed the check pilot that he "was going to level-off to regain a steep approach angle." After correcting the approach angle, he then continued the descent. Toward the end of the approach, the pilot began increasing lift to terminate the approach at a hover. He "had to do this somewhat early as we were still a bit high and a bit too far from the pinnacle." As he started to glance at the instruments, the check pilot called for a go-around. The pilot began the go-around (increasing collective and adding forward cyclic) and "then noticed our RPMs were low." The pilot stated that "the next thing I remember is our being out of control and then hitting the surface with the right side of the cabin striking the ground." According to the check pilot, "the approach to the pinnacle was a little shallow, but for the wind conditions was acceptable. At approximately 50 feet above the pinnacle, and with about 40 knots airspeed, the approach began to get steeper. I called for a go around. [The pilot] responded by lowering collective and moving aft on the cyclic." The check pilot "noticed the airspeed slow to around 20 knots" and "observed a reduction in rotor RPM and a large increase of manifold pressure." The helicopter began to yaw to the right "rotating approximately 280 to 300 degrees clockwise prior to impact." Following the loss of control, he took the flight controls and attempted to level the helicopter and cushion the impact. According to the operator, there was damage to the main and tail rotors, drive shafts, gearboxes, tail boom, horizontal stabilizer, cabin section, and cabin glass. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N801CP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N801CP), registered now, S/N 980965, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hughes 269A - Registry model: [Hughes 269A](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269a) (registry code 4470402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 980965 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-A1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northern Skies Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 6S8, Laurel, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 187 total, 121 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days - Check pilot; age 38; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2 ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050721016349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050721016349A), Jul 21, 2005: Hughes 269A, Laurel, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 21, 2005, at 1100 MDT, a Hughes 269A helicopter, N801CP, registered to northern skies aviation inc collided with the ground near Laurel, Montana,… 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.