Hughes 269A N269RS

Summary

On 26 May 2006 at about 15:27 local time, a Hughes 269A registered N269RS, operated by Salisbury Helicopters Incorporated, was involved in an accident near Concord, North Carolina, 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

26 May 2006 at 15:27

Classification

Accident

Location

Concord, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.3858, -80.7053

Aircraft

Hughes 269A

Registration

N269RS

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Salisbury Helicopters Incorporated

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Concord → Concord

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL06LA085

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons while maneuvering, resulting in a forced landing to uneven terrain and a roll over.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot stated that he was practicing for his private pilot helicopter check ride with his certificated flight instructor (CFI), and was preparing for a simulated engine failure. He stated that he had the flight controls, and counted down "3, 2, 1, and cracked the throttle from 2900 rpm to 2400 rpm." However, the engine "died" and the CFI took over the controls. The CFI entered an autorotation, and maneuvered the helicopter into an uneven field. The student pilot stated that the "CFI flared the helicopter, and when the helicopter hit it flipped onto the right side." The CFI stated that he was conducting a training flight with a student pilot. They found an open field to practice settling with power maneuvers, and simulated engine failures. During the simulated engine failure the student pilot decreased the engine rpm, and it went to "0 rpm". The CFI stated that he took over the flight controls, and entered an autorotation into the open field. Upon touch down the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. The CFI did not report any flight control anomalies prior to the accident, and a postaccident inspection of the helicopter disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical problems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.