Hughes 269A N69HJ

Summary

On 17 April 2012 at about 16:16 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N69HJ was involved in an accident near Grinnell, Iowa, 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

17 April 2012 at 16:16

Classification

Accident

Location

Grinnell, Iowa, United States

Nearest airport

Grinnell Regional Airport (GGI)

Coordinates

41.7100, -92.7361

Aircraft

Hughes 269A

Registration

N69HJ

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grinnell → Grinnell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA247

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper liftoff technique, which resulted in ground resonance, and the pilot's delayed recognition of the ground resonance.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter began to vibrate as the pilot raised the collective for liftoff. The pilot lowered the collective and closed the throttle when the vibration began; however, he was too late in recognizing the onset of ground resonance, which resulted in a violent, uncontrollable oscillation and separation of the tail boom from the fuselage. Examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.