HUGHES 369 near Naples, FL — 2010-03-11
Final reportERA10LA172
- Date
- 2010-03-11
- Location
- Naples, FL, USA
- Airport
- APF
- Aircraft
- HUGHES 369
- Registration
- N8618F
- Category
- Helicopter
- Highest injury
- None
- Fatalities
- 0
- Phase of flight
- Landing
Probable cause
The pilot's excessive aft cyclic imput during the flare following an practice autorotation, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tail boom.
NTSB narrative
During a helicopter flight review, the pilot completed three practice autorotations to a landing. After the third landing, the pilot heard a "thud" and no longer had use of the anti-torque pedals. Upon inspection, the tail boom was found to be severed. The cut was consistent with the tip path plane of the main rotor striking the boom, likely from excessive aft cyclic application during the flare. No flight control anomalies were reported by either crewmember.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- Loss of control
- First missed decision gate
- Cyclic should have been forward to neutral on and after touchdown.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- 1 docket document
Docket documents1
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