Hughes 269A N911HC

Summary

On 7 October 2003 at about 14:40 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N911HC was involved in an accident near Huntsville, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 October 2003 at 14:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Huntsville, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

34.6403, -86.6394

Aircraft

Hughes 269A

Registration

N911HC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Moontown → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL04LA011

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance while hovering out of ground effect, which resulted in a collision with a tree and subsequent uncontrolled collision with the ground.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to photograph a nearby golf course. As the pilot maneuvered the helicopter to facilitate the purpose of the flight, the tail rotor assembly collided with trees, and the helicopter subsequently collided with the ground. The passenger stated that the helicopter was traveling in a backward motion at approximately 60 feet above the ground. Examination of the downed helicopter revealed that wreckage debris was scattered in the immediate vicinity of the wreckage. The on site examination revealed the helicopter tail rotor struck a tree approximately 60 feet above the ground. The center of impact was nearly vertical in direction, 46 feet from the tree that was struck. The ground scar of the helicopter was consistent with very little or no lateral movement. The downed helicopter came to rest on its left side on a 010-degree magnetic heading approximately 5 nautical miles southeast of downtown Huntsville, Alabama. Examination of the wreckage at the wreckage site revealed the tail boom was separated. The tail rotor blade was separated from the tail boom. The pilot did not report any problems with the helicopter prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.