Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 269 near San Antonio, TX — 2018-03-14

Final reportGAA18CA168
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Date
2018-03-14
Location
San Antonio, TX, USA
Airport
SSF
Aircraft
HUGHES 269
Registration
N11047
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to relinquish the helicopter flight controls to a non-rated passenger during a 3 ft hover.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter pilot reported that he allowed his non-rated passenger to "try his hovering skills" at 3 ft above ground level. The pilot told the passenger, "you have the aircraft," and the pilot removed his hands from the flight controls. The passenger pushed the cyclic to its forward limit, and the helicopter impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and tail rotor drive systems, and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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