Pilot Debrief

HUGHES 269 near Eustis, FL — 2015-09-25

Final reportERA15LA376
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Date
2015-09-25
Location
Eustis, FL, USA
Aircraft
HUGHES 269
Registration
N9567F
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain yaw control as he slowed the helicopter during a landing approach, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was flying the helicopter about 600 ft above ground level and at a speed of 60 to 70 mph and began descending and slowing the helicopter as it approached a friend's home, where he planned to land. The right-seat passenger, who was a student pilot, reported that the helicopter got "low and slow" during the approach and began "violently spinning to the right." The student pilot also reported that the wind was light and variable and that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the flight. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or anomaly. A cell phone video provided by a witness confirmed the student's report that the helicopter was at a low altitude and airspeed when it yawed right, then spun right, and descended to ground impact. The engine could be heard running throughout the accident sequence. It is likely that, during the landing approach, the helicopter's airspeed dropped below effective translational lift, and when the pilot added power to compensate, the helicopter yawed right. The pilot was unable to stop the yaw and lost control of the helicopter due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have followed the height-velocity curve to avoid loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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