# NTSB WPR11LA325: Hughes 269C, N3623Z, Wenatchee, WA, July 12, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 2011, 09:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Wenatchee, WA - Coordinates: 47.341945, -120.238052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3419&lon=-120.2381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81105 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA325 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81105/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81105 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA325 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control while hovering out of ground effect at low altitude, which resulted in the helicopter settling into trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes 269C, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=4470504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a low altitude and slow airspeed flight to dry cherry trees, the engine lost power, and the helicopter subsequently settled into the trees. However, when the helicopter came to rest, the engine was still operating, and he had shut it down. During postaccident examination of the engine and airframe, no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure was found that would have precluded normal operation of the engine or flight controls. It is likely that the pilot did not maintain control of the helicopter while hovering out of ground effect at low altitude and experienced a settling with power event. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 12, 2011, about 0905 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Hughes 269C, N3623Z, collided with trees near Wenatchee, Washington. Applebee Aviation, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 for the purpose of drying cherry trees. The certificated commercial pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and to the main rotor blades. The local flight departed Wenatchee about 0845. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was flying at a low altitude and slow airspeed over cherry trees to dry them when the engine experienced a loss of power. Due to the low altitude, the helicopter settled into the trees. After the accident, the pilot reported that the engine was still operating and he had to shut it down. During the postaccident examination of the engine and airframe, no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure was found that would have precluded normal operation with the engine or flight controls of the helicopter. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Vortex Ring State (Settling With Power) According to the FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, "Vortex ring state describes an aerodynamic condition where a helicopter may be in a vertical descent with up to maximum power applied, and little or no cyclic authority. The term 'settling with power' comes from the fact that the helicopter keeps settling even though full engine power is applied." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3623Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3623Z-2013-10-25), registration cancelled 2013-10-25, S/N S1166, built 1984 (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: S1166 - Airframe hours: 6600 - Engines: LYCOMING HIO-360 SER 205 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Applebee Aviation Inc - Registered owner: US Helicopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: EAT, Wenatchee, WA - Destination: EAT, Wenatchee, WA - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 9, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 810 total, 150 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: EAT, 4 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 20110712013679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110712013679A), Jul 12, 2011: Hughes 269C, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. During helicopter cherry drying operations a 1984 HU-269 settled into the trees causing substantial damage, and minor injuries to the two occupants. The pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81105. 554 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 293 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372290&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation- FAA Inspector Black (item 2, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372291&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Black-Master.PDF 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.