Pilot Debrief

SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION 269C near Staples, TX — 2012-03-05

Final reportCEN12LA181
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Date
2012-03-05
Location
Staples, TX, USA
Aircraft
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION 269C
Registration
N1099N
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper descent rate during autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the inflight vibrations and loss of torque pedal response for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

About 15 minutes into a cross-country flight, the pilot heard a "pop" that sounded "like metal breaking." He felt a violent vibration and loss of torque pedal response. The pilot reported that there was no change in rpm, and he performed a precautionary autorotation and landing due to the vibration. During the landing, the helicopter impacted the ground hard and the main rotor blades contacted the tailboom. On-scene and subsequent laboratory examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the pop and subsequent vibration could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have landed immediately after hearing the pop sound.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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