Hughes 369HS N5FC

Summary

On 27 March 1991 at about 13:15 local time, a Hughes 369HS registered N5FC, operated by Omni Flight Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Columbia, Maryland, United States. One person was 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

27 March 1991 at 13:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Columbia, Maryland, United States

Coordinates

39.1997, -76.8498

Aircraft

Hughes 369HS

Registration

N5FC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Omni Flight Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Baltimore → Lynchburg

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO91LA036

Nobody was injured.

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION (FENCE POST).

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LANDING THE AIRCRAFT IN A CLEARING ON TELEPHONE COMPANY RIGHT OF WAY PROPERTY IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE COMPANY'S GROUND PERSONNEL. AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET, AFTER TURNING HIS CRAFT INTO THE WIND AND MANEUVERING TO AVOID SOME LOOSE GROUND WIRES, HE DESCENDED FOR A LANDING. AT ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG, THE AIRCRAFT SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY, BUT HE DID NOT LOSE PEDAL CONTROL. HE EXECUTED A HOVER AUTO ROTATION, LANDED THE AIRCRAFT AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. AFTER EXITING THE AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT DISCOVERED THE TAIL ROTOR AND FINS HAD STRUCK A 2 INCH METAL FENCE POST THAT WAS 7 FEET TALL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.