Hughes OH-6A N6638P

Summary

On 15 April 1997 at about 02:00 local time, a Hughes OH-6A registered N6638P was involved in an accident near Marfa, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 April 1997 at 02:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Marfa, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Marfa Municipal (MRF)

Coordinates

30.3102, -104.0201

Aircraft

Hughes OH-6A

Registration

N6638P

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

FTW97TA162

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's improper touchdown, and the designated examiner's inadequate supervision. The light condition at dusk was a related factor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The instructor pilot, an FAA designated flight examiner, was giving a 'semi-annual helicopter checkride' to a commercial pilot. According to the examiner, the flight was planned for a 'before dark departure...for a more gradual dark adaptation for planned PM full touchdown autorotations.' The commercial pilot performed 'several hovering autorotations and a Run-On landing before complete sunset.' The commercial pilot's first practice autorotation was initiated at dusk from approximately 700 feet AGL, and all indications were 'normal.' At about 65 feet, he initiated a flare and 'held the flare to an approximate altitude of 10 feet, where he began the initial pitch pull and began to level the aircraft.' The helicopter touched down prior to reaching a 'full level attitude and prior to applying full up collective.' The helicopter 'made initial contact on the rear portion of the skids causing the main rotor blades to flex down and sever the tailboom' approximately 2-1/2 feet forward of the tail rotor gearbox.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.