Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 369A near Stoneburg, TX — 2018-05-19

Final reportCEN18LA183
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Date
2018-05-19
Location
Stoneburg, TX, USA
Aircraft
HUGHES 369A
Registration
N369GK
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's unsafe and aggressive operation of the helicopter at low altitude, which resulted in impact with trees.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting an aerial tour flight to hunt hogs in the helicopter with four passengers on board. As the pilot was returning to the landing zone and the helicopter was about 125 ft above the ground, a passenger saw a coyote below the helicopter and reported it to the other occupants. The pilot then chose to chase the coyote and suddenly made a tight, right turn and then entered a steep descent, which resulted in the helicopter rapidly approaching a tree line; the pilot initiated a climb, but the helicopter impacted the trees and then terrain. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot was operating the helicopter unsafely at a low altitude, which likely resulted in him seeing the tree line ahead too late to avoid impact with the trees.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided the sudden turn and descent to chase the coyote.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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