McDonnell Douglas 369E N91620

Summary

On 11 April 2003 at about 16:30 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 369E registered N91620 was involved in an accident near Plentywood, Montana, 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

11 April 2003 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Plentywood, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Sher-Wood (PWD)

Coordinates

48.7950, -104.5342

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 369E

Registration

N91620

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Public Use

Purpose of flight

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Glascow → Plentywood

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03TA060

Nobody was injured.

Aircraft control was not maintained during a hovering turn. High wind conditions and excessive remedial action were factors.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while in a hover, about three feet above ground level, he began a 180 degree left pedal turn. As the tail of the helicopter passed through the downwind portion of the turn, the tail rose sharply. The pilot applied abrupt aft cyclic control. The tail rotor struck the pavement, followed by a loss of tail rotor authority and an uncommanded rapid spin to the right. Throttle was reduced as the pilot attempted to perform a hovering autorotation. The helicopter touched down in a level attitude, but with excessive lateral movement. The right side landing skid collapsed and the helicopter rolled to the right coming to rest on its right side. The pilot reported the winds from 175 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 28 knots. There was no report of a mechanical failure or malfunction at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.