Hughes 269C N7487F

Summary

On 23 June 2005 at about 00:45 local time, a Hughes 269C registered N7487F, operated by Brazos Helicopters LLC, was involved in an accident near Bruceville, Texas, 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

23 June 2005 at 00:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Bruceville, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.3000, -97.1500

Aircraft

Hughes 269C

Registration

N7487F

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Brazos Helicopters LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bruceville → Bruceville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW05CA168

Nobody was injured.

The flight instructor's improper flare during autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factor was, the lack of suitable terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 724-hour flight instructor reported that the student pilot initiated a planned power-recovery 180-degree autorotation to a plowed field. As the student attempted to recover with power, approximately 20-50 feet above ground level, the instructor noticed "that the engine rpm needle was not coming up to meet the rotor rpm needle." The instructor immediately attempted to "roll maximum throttle on," but realized the throttle would not move, and took control of the helicopter. The student told the instructor that the throttle was stuck. However, the instructor stated the throttle seemed "stuck because it was all the way open." Subsequently, the helicopter contacted the ground and the right skid "dug into the ground," as the helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side. The instructor stated that the engine was not running and the throttle was wide open when he took the controls. No mechanical anomolies were noted with the engine or the airframe. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.