Hughes 269C N171FF

Summary

On 28 July 2003 at about 18:30 local time, a Hughes 269C registered N171FF, operated by Silverhawk Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Melba, Idaho, 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

28 July 2003 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Melba, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

43.3156, -116.5097

Aircraft

Hughes 269C

Registration

N171FF

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Silverhawk Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Caldwell → Melba

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03LA158

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor rpm. Factors contributing to the accident were the corn crop, and the pilot's abrupt maneuver to avoid obstacles.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the pilot was approaching the north end of the field from the south, about 2 feet above the corn stalks at 30 knots, he began a climbing right pedal turn. Approximately 30 to 40 degrees through the turn, the pilot misjudged his distance from wires that bordered the field. The pilot stopped the pedal turn and applied right forward cyclic. As the helicopter began to sink the pilot applied forward cyclic and additional throttle to gain airspeed and to minimize the descent. The pilot then applied aft cyclic and collective to stop the descent, but the helicopter's right skid impacted the corn causing it to veer right before impacting the ground and coming to rest on its left side.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.