Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of total experience in helicopters.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 1, 1999, about 1022 eastern daylight time, a Hughes 269C, N58397, was substantially damaged while maneuvering at the Oneida County Airport, (UCA) Utica, New York. The certificated student pilot (SP) was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed a private heliport, in Oriskany, New York. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
In a written statement, the pilot said he was performing ground proximity maneuvers which included two uneventful "quick stops." He further stated:
"...The third quick stop was on a heading of approximately 090 [degrees] into the wind of around 5 knots. I apparently lowered the collective too much with no forward motion. I did not stop the settling and made a hard landing on the rear of the skids..."
The helicopter's tail rotor contacted the taxiway and the aft portion of the helicopter's landing skid was pushed outward.
Examination of the helicopter by the FAA Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.
The pilot reported 20.6 hours of total flight experience in helicopters, all in the accident helicopter's make and model.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC99LA217