Hughes 269A N575PF

Summary

On 18 December 1999 at about 19:30 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N575PF was involved in an accident near Brownsboro, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 December 1999 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Brownsboro, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.2899, -95.6090

Aircraft

Hughes 269A

Registration

N575PF

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Flint → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW00LA048

1 person was seriously injured.

The loss of tail rotor effectiveness as a result of tail rotor vortex ring state.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to the accident, the helicopter was flying on an easterly heading in level flight at approximately 20 knots while making shallow turns following a creek bed. The pilot reported that the helicopter lost all of its lift and power and started descending toward the trees. The pilot added that the anti-torque pedals were ineffective and the helicopter was spinning to the right prior to impact with the trees. Minor repairs were made to the engine in order to run the engine on the helicopter. The engine was started and operated twice within the 1300 to 2500 RPM range for 18 minutes. A representative of the engine manufacturer reported 'no pre-existing engine deficiencies were noted and the investigation did not produce any evidence that the engine was not capable of operating and producing power at the time of the accident.' The conditions at the time of the accident were found to be conducive to the formation of a tail rotor vortex ring state.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.