Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 269B near Ozark, AL — 2016-09-22

Final reportERA16LA326
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Date
2016-09-22
Location
Ozark, AL, USA
Aircraft
HUGHES 269B
Registration
N269BS
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined following a successful postaccident engine run on the accident helicopter.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor stated that the helicopter was in cruise flight at 75 mph and 800 ft mean sea level when he announced "simulated engine failure" and reduced the throttle and collective. The student pilot responded to the simulated emergency by establishing an autorotation and cross-checking the instruments, which were all "normal" or "in the green." During recovery of the maneuver at 100 ft above ground level, the instructor noted the engine rpm was "zero," announced an actual engine failure, joined the student pilot on the flight controls, and completed the autorotation to the ground. At touchdown, the helicopter bounced on the right front skid and rolled onto its right side. The helicopter was recovered to the operator's facility, where an engine start was attempted on the airframe using the helicopter's battery and starter. The engine started immediately and ran smoothly without interruption until manually shut down.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have aborted the simulated engine failure earlier.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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