Hughes 269C N3623Z

Summary

On 12 July 2011 at about 16:05 local time, a Hughes 269C registered N3623Z, operated by Applebee Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Wenatchee, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 July 2011 at 16:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Wenatchee, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.3419, -120.2381

Aircraft

Hughes 269C

Registration

N3623Z

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Applebee Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wenatchee → Wenatchee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA325

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain control while hovering out of ground effect at low altitude, which resulted in the helicopter settling into trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during a low altitude and slow airspeed flight to dry cherry trees, the engine lost power, and the helicopter subsequently settled into the trees. However, when the helicopter came to rest, the engine was still operating, and he had shut it down. During postaccident examination of the engine and airframe, no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure was found that would have precluded normal operation of the engine or flight controls. It is likely that the pilot did not maintain control of the helicopter while hovering out of ground effect at low altitude and experienced a settling with power event.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.