# NTSB SEA07CA220: Hughes 269C, N428MS, Three Forks, MT, July 30, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 29, 2007, 19:30 local (Jul 30, 2007, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Three Forks, MT
- Coordinates: 45.878055, -111.569168
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8781&lon=-111.5692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA220

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during autorotation.  The flight instructor's inadequate supervision was a factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - attempted, dual student
  - rotor system,tail rotor - blade strike
  - aircraft control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The instructor reported that during a training flight, while practicing an autorotation, the student began the cyclic flare and the tail of the rotorcraft struck the runway. The power recovery was initiated by the student and the instructor began to assist on the controls. The instructor reported that there was very little tail rotor effectiveness and that the aircraft then began to spin, made contact again with the ground and came to rest on its left side.  The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The instructor reported that during a training flight, while practicing an autorotation, the student began the cyclic flare and the tail of the rotorcraft struck the runway. The power recovery was initiated by the student and the instructor began to assist on the controls. The instructor reported that there was very little tail rotor effectiveness and that the aircraft then began to spin, made contact again with the ground and came to rest on its left side.  The pilot reported no mechanical failure or malfunction with the helicopter prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N428MS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N428MS-2015-05-21), registration cancelled 2015-05-21, S/N S1424, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes 269C
- Registry model: [Schweizer 269C](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-269c) (registry code 8059502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S1424
- Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-SER reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 9S5, Three Forks, MT
- Destination: 9S5, Three Forks, MT
- Airport: 9S5, Three Forks, runway 02, 5,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 36; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; seat: right; flight hours: 476 total, 1 in this make and model, 114 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days
- Student pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1; seat: left; flight hours: 216 total, 88 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: 32N

## 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 20070729014239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070729014239A), Jul 29, 2007: Hughes 269C, Three Forks, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Schweizer N428MS departed galletin field (bzn) bozeman, Montana enroute to Three Forks Airport (9S5) Three Forks Montana. Upon arriving at Three Forks…

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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