Hughes 269C N58163

Summary

On 2 September 2009 at about 15:40 local time, a Hughes 269C registered N58163, operated by Cavalea Continental Freight Inc, was involved in an accident near Arapahoe, Nebraska, 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

2 September 2009 at 15:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Arapahoe, Nebraska, United States

Coordinates

40.3001, -99.8904

Aircraft

Hughes 269C

Registration

N58163

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Cavalea Continental Freight Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Arapahoe → Colorado Plains

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09LA558

Nobody was injured.

A sudden vibration for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During cruise flight in a reciprocating single-engine helicopter, the pilot heard a loud noise and felt a vibration. The pilot immediately entered an autorotation and turned the flight controls over to the flight instructor. The flight instructor elected to continue the autorotation to an open field. During the landing the helicopter's landing skids stuck into the soft terrain, causing the helicopter's nose to pitch down and tail to pitch up. The main rotor blades impacted the tail boom, severing it; the helicopter subsequently rolled onto its side. An examination of the helicopter failed to find a reason for the noise and vibration.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.