# NTSB WPR13CA337: Hughes 269B, N9484F, Lewiston, ID, July 23, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2013, 11:34 local (18:34 UTC) - Place: Lewiston, ID - Coordinates: 46.374443, -117.015274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3744&lon=-117.0153&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87552 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA337 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87552/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87552 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA337 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect application of the cyclic control during the landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes 269B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=4470502), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was conducting a full down practice autorotation which involved landing the helicopter as the final step. During the landing, the helicopter bounced which resulted in the main rotor striking the tail boom, severing the tail rotor drive shaft. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had applied more forward cyclic after the helicopter had contacted the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was conducting a full down practice autorotation which involved landing the helicopter as the final step. During the landing, the helicopter bounced, which resulted in the main rotor striking the tail boom, severing the tail rotor drive shaft. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had applied more forward cyclic after the helicopter had contacted the ground. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9484F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9484F-2025-08-21), registration cancelled 2025-08-21, S/N 1160291 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HUGHES 269B - Registry model: [Hughes 269B](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-269b) (registry code 4470502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-series) (registry code 41881, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1160291 - Airframe hours: 3883 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Odonata LLC - Registered owner: Simmons Kent B - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 2013 - Departed: KLWS, Lewiston, ID - Destination: KLWS, Lewiston, ID - Airport: KLWS, Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airp, runway 30, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 241 total, 73 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KLWS ## 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 20130723014809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130723014809A), Jul 23, 2013: Hughes 269B, Lewiston, ID, Substantial damage. N9484F, a 1968 Hughes 269B helicopter received substantial damage to the tailboom, tailrotor driveshaft, and main rotor blades as the result of an unsucessful… ## Other investigations on N9484F (2) 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. - [NTSB FTW83LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA211), Apr 29, 1983: Hughes 269B (N9484F), Forgan, OK, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN70F0108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN70F0108), Sep 29, 1969: Hughes 269B (N9484F), Cheyenne, WY, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87552. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.