Hughes 269A N8773F

Summary

On 19 August 1989 at about 17:30 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N8773F was involved in an accident near Saluda, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 August 1989 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Saluda, South Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Etheridge

Coordinates

34.0008, -81.7692

Aircraft

Hughes 269A

Registration

N8773F

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

Unk

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL89LA199

Nobody was injured.

STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING LIFT-OFF AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFT-OFF TO A HOVER THE HELICOPTER ROLLED RIGHT. LEFT CYCLIC WAS APPLIED BY THE INSTRUCTOR WHO REALIZED THAT THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION WAS ALSO APPLYING LEFT CYCLIC. AS THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO ROLL RIGHT THE INSTRUCTOR LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE. HOWEVER THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED ROLLING UNTIL THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE MAIN ROTOR HEAD SEPARATED. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE FLIGHT CONTROLS HAD FEEL AND THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS. THE FRACTURED MAIN ROTOR MAST HAD EXCESSIVE POROSITY BUT FAILED IN OVERLOAD. A GOUGE WAS FOUND IN THE GROUND INDICATING THAT THE RIGHT SKID REAR TIP DRAGGED DURING THE LIFT-OFF AND PRECIPITATED THE DYNAMIC ROLL OVER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.