Hughes HU-269-A N911LH

Summary

On 12 July 2002 at about 02:00 local time, a Hughes HU-269-A registered N911LH was involved in an accident near Hamilton, Alabama, 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

12 July 2002 at 02:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Hamilton, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Marrion County (HAB)

Coordinates

34.1192, -87.9997

Aircraft

Hughes HU-269-A

Registration

N911LH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hamilton → Hamilton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL02LA141

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper use of flight controls that resulted in an improper flare and a hard landing during a practice autorotation. A factor was the loss of rotor rpm.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the flight instructor, the intent of the flight was to demonstrate emergency procedures. The flight instructor demonstrated several traffic patterns and approaches. The flight instructor stated that while demonstrating an autorotation he allowed the rotor rpm to deteriorate, the helicopter lost lift, and subsequently collided with the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.