Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 269A near Morris, MN — 2016-07-29

Final reportCEN16LA303
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Date
2016-07-29
Location
Morris, MN, USA
Aircraft
HUGHES 269A
Registration
N269JB
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain due to his distraction by the navigation system.

NTSB narrative

During the aerial application flight, the commercial pilot was flying at 45 knots when he looked at his navigation system to ensure that he was on course. He felt the helicopter slow down and looked up to see that he had descended into the soybean field. The helicopter rotated 180° and came to rest on its right side, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided distraction by not looking down at navigation system during maneuver.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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