Hughes 269A N7050D

Summary

On 10 August 1997 at about 21:13 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N7050D was involved in an accident near Dandridge, Tennessee, 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

10 August 1997 at 21:13

Classification

Accident

Location

Dandridge, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Jacques Heliport (NONE)

Coordinates

36.0196, -83.4100

Aircraft

Hughes 269A

Registration

N7050D

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Morristown → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL97LA114

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's failure to properly plan the approach for landing, which led to a loss of tail rotor authority and directional control, while close to the ground. The tailwind was a related factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated he was returning to his private heliport after refueling at a local airport. As he approached the heliport, he flew over a local lake to determine the wind direction. He stated he made a normal approach. According to the pilot, as the helicopter approached the ground, a 'right quartering tailwind' was encountered. The helicopter began to 'sink rapidly,' tail rotor authority was lost, and the pilot lost directional control of the helicopter. In order to prevent a spin, the pilot turned off the ignition and allowed the helicopter to drop to the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.