# NTSB WPR24LA028: MD Helicopters 369FF, N369FF, Mesa, AZ, November 6, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 6, 2023, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ · airport environment
- Coordinates: 33.460841, -111.72832 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4608&lon=-111.7283&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193356
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193356/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193356
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA028

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper autorotation profile during deceleration that resulted in the tail rotor assembly impacting the ground.

## 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; cases with it: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3030002), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=3030002), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3030002), [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: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=3030002), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [MD Helicopters 369FF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=3030002), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During a proficiency flight, the pilot was demonstrating an autorotation, and the nonflying pilot was following on the flight controls. While holding the flare to land, an excessive amount of aft cyclic was abruptly applied, and the tailskid and tail rotor contacted the ground. The pilot leveled the helicopter and completed the autorotation. The helicopter spun about 90° to the right before it came to a stop. The tail rotor assembly, tail boom, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and tail rotor drive shaft couplings sustained substantial damage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N369FF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N369FF), registered now, S/N 0709FF, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MD HELICOPTERS INC 369FF
- Registry model: [MD Helicopters 369FF](https://openairdocs.org/model/md-helicopters-369ff) (registry code 3030002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce 250-C30](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c30) (registry code 54023, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0709FF
- Year built: 2009
- Airframe hours: 12950.8
- Engines: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft; ROLLS-ROYC 250-C30 650 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: MD Helicopters
- Registered owner: Bank Of Utah Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Fld
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 27, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 10,642 total, 1,197 in this make and model, 9,145 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 895 total, 100 in this make and model, 823 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: KFFZ
- METAR: METAR KFFZ 061654Z 02004KT 10SM CLR 26/01 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP132 T02560011=

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 6, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193356. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16434262&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 630 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16434170&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.

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