Hughes 369D N268ST

Summary

On 23 September 2001 at about 19:37 local time, a Hughes 369D registered N268ST, operated by Civic Helicopters, Inc., was involved in an accident near Carlsbad, California, 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

23 September 2001 at 19:37

Classification

Accident

Location

Carlsbad, California, United States

Nearest airport

Mc Clellan-Palomar (CRQ)

Coordinates

33.1283, -117.2800

Aircraft

Hughes 369D

Registration

N268ST

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Civic Helicopters, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Carlsbad → Carlsbad

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX01LA305

Nobody was injured.

A hard landing due to the dual student's failure to maintain main rotor speed, his improper landing flare, and the flight control interference by the flight instructor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During training, the flight instructor (CFI) directed his student to perform a full touchdown autorotation, and the maneuver commenced. While descending, the student allowed the main rotor rpm to decay. Also, the CFI recognized that the desired touchdown location was farther than their flight profile would allow, so he attempted to "stretch the glide distance" by using collective rather than by adding engine power. The landing flare was delayed, and when touchdown occurred the main rotors impacted the tail boom.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.