• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Helicopter Flight Training Sponsors
 Search

Categories

 Search

NTSB Final Report: Oxford, CO

Location:

Oxford, Colorado

Accident Number:

CEN23LA048

Date & Time:

November 23, 2022, 13:07 Local

Registration:

N668M

Aircraft:

Hughes 369HS

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Defining Event:

Hard landing

Injuries:

2 None

Flight Conducted Under:        Part 91: General aviation - Other work use

Analysis

During a checkride with an applicant pilot, the designated pilot examiner was demonstrating a 180° autorotation. The applicant pilot reported the descent was too quick, the examiner flared too low, and the helicopter experienced a hard landing. An airport surveillance video showed the helicopter descend at a rapid rate and impact the runway. The helicopter came to rest on its left side and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor system. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Finding:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The designated pilot examiner’s failure to maintain a proper descent during a practice 180° autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.

Findings

Personnel issues - Aircraft control - Designated examiner

Aircraft - Descent/approach/glide path - Incorrect use/operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Autorotation - Hard landing (Defining event)

Landing-flare/touchdown - Tailstrike

 

Post-impact -  Roll over

Check pilot Information

Certificate:

Airline transport

Age:

58

Airplane Rating(s):

Single-engine land; Multi-engine land

Seat Occupied:

Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Helicopter

Restraint Used:

4-point

Instrument Rating(s):

Airplane

Second Pilot Present:

 

Instructor Rating(s):

Airplane single-engine; Helicopter; Instrument airplane; Instrument helicopter

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

Class 2 Unknown

Last FAA Medical Exam:

August 1, 2021

Occupational Pilot:

UNK

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

 

Flight Time:

0 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0 hours (Total, this make and model)

 

Student pilot Information

Certificate:

Commercial                                              Age:                                                           40

Airplane Rating(s):

Single-engine land                                      Seat Occupied:                                         Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Restraint Used:                                        4-point

Instrument Rating(s):

Airplane                                                     Second Pilot Present:

Instructor Rating(s):

Toxicology Performed:

Medical Certification:

Class 2 Without waivers/limitations     Last FAA Medical Exam:                         February 1, 2023

Occupational Pilot:

No                                                               Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

Flight Time:

(Estimated) 1200 hours (Total, all aircraft), 0 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:

Hughes

Registration:

N668M

Model/Series:

369HS

Aircraft Category:

Helicopter

Year of Manufacture:

1971

Amateur Built:

 

Airworthiness Certificate:

Normal

Serial Number:

310312S

Landing Gear Type:

None; High skid

Seats:

4

Date/Type of Last Inspection:

October 25, 2022 100 hour

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

2550 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

 

Engines:

1 Turbo shaft

Airframe Total Time:

9806.4 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer:

Rolls-Royce

ELT:

Installed

Engine Model/Series:

M250-C20

Registered Owner:

 

Rated Power:

400 Horsepower

Operator:

 

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

Rotorcraft external load (133), Commuter air carrier (135)

Operator Does Business As:

 

Operator Designator Code:

8C0A

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light:

Day

Observation Facility, Elevation:

KDRO,6629 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

1 Nautical Miles

Observation Time:

12:53 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

212°

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Clear

Visibility

10 miles

Lowest Ceiling:

None

Visibility (RVR):

 

Wind Speed/Gusts:

12 knots / 20 knots

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:

/

Wind Direction:

250°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:

/

Altimeter Setting:

29.96 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point:

7°C / -12°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

No Obscuration; No Precipitation

 

Departure Point:

Oxford, CO

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

None

Destination:

Oxford, CO

Type of Clearance:

None

Departure Time:

Type of Airspace:

Class E

Airport Information

Airport:

DURANGO-LA PLATA COUNTY DRO

Runway Surface Type:

Asphalt

Airport Elevation:

6689 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition:

Dry

Runway Used:

21

IFR Approach:

Unknown

Runway Length/Width:

9201 ft / 150 ft

VFR Approach/Landing:

Simulated forced landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

1 None

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

1 None

Aircraft Fire:

None

Ground Injuries:

 

Aircraft Explosion:

None

Total Injuries:

2 None

Latitude, Longitude:

37.153552,-107.7518(est)

Administrative Information

Investigator In Charge (IIC):

Lemishko, Alexander

Additional Participating Persons:

Shumway, Kerry J.; FAA-FSDO; Salt Lake City, UT

 

Original Publish Date:

April 20, 2023                                                         Investigation Class:

4

Note:

The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

 

Investigation Docket:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106366

 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), established in 1967, is an independent federal agency mandated by Congress through the Independent Safety Board Act of 1974 to investigate transportation accidents, determine the probable causes of the accidents, issue safety recommendations, study transportation safety issues, and evaluate the safety effectiveness of government agencies involved in transportation. The NTSB makes public its actions and decisions through accident reports, safety studies, special investigation reports, safety recommendations, and statistical reviews.

 

The Independent Safety Board Act, as codified at 49 U.S.C. Section 1154(b), precludes the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an incident or accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report. A factual report that may be admissible under 49 U.S.C. § 1154(b) is available here.

READ MORE ROTOR PRO: https://justhelicopters.com/Magazine

WATCH ROTOR PRO YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://buff.ly/3Md0T3y

You can also find us on

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rotorpro1

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rotorpro1

Twitter - https://twitter.com/justhelicopters

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/rotorpro1





Created 145 days ago
by Admin

Tags CO NTSB Report Oxford
Categories Press Releases
Categories
Print