Hughes 269A N5006M

Summary

On 24 August 1992 at about 00:00 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N5006M, operated by Smith, Timothy E., was involved in an accident near Nome, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 August 1992 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Nome, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

64.7093, -164.6208

Aircraft

Hughes 269A

Registration

N5006M

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Smith, Timothy E.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nome → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC92LA144

1 person was seriously injured.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN APPROX 5-FT HOVER, THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY PUSHED THE DUAL CYCLIC CONTROL STICK FORWARD, AND BEFORE HE COULD TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION THE HELICOPTER CONTACTED THE 15-20 DEG SLOPE. THE PILOT ABRUPTLY MOVED HIS CYCLIC CONTROL STICK AFT, THE TAIL ROTOR HIT THE GROUND, AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK AND CUT OFF THE TAILBOOM. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS FOR THE PASSENGER TO VIDEOTAPE WILDLIFE THROUGH THE LEFT DOOR, WHICH HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR THE FLIGHT. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE BUT HE DID NOT THINK HE HAD PUSHED THE CONTROL STICK. HE THOUGHT THE PILOT HAD BEEN LOOKING AT THE WILDLIFE AND INADVERTENTLY HIT THE GROUND.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.